=46rom Prof. C. O. Adewunmi, Nigeria <cadewumi at oauife.edu.ng> by way of Davi=
d
Johnston
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Dear Colleagues,
Introduction
Ondo state is situated in the heartland of the tropical rainforest belt of
western Nigeria. The inhabitants are mostly farmers. The population of the
state is about 2,300,000.0. The state stakes a lot in the education of its
indigenous people (Yorubas) and is one of the educationally advanced states
in Nigeria.
There are 18 Local Goverments (LGS) in Ondo state with about 60% of the LGS
heavily infected with schistosomiasis. The prevalence and intensity of
schistosomiasis in the state reached such an alarming status that the
problem was highlighted on the national network of the national television
three times in April and May this year (2000). A committee was set up by the
State Government. Schistosomiasis was found to be highly endemic in fifteen
LGAs in Ondo State. These are Akoko N/W, Akoko N/E, Akoko S/W, Akoko S/E,
Ondo West, Ondo East, Akure South, Akure North, Owo, Ifedore, Idanre,
Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo, Odigbo, Okitipupa and Irele, whereas it was found to be
endemic in three LGAs which are Ilaje, Ese-Odo and Ose
A training workshop on the control of schistosomiasis was held at the
Spcialist Hospital, Akure, Ondo State between December 13th - 21st, 2000.
Resource persons were drawn from Nigerian and German Institutions. Please
find attached the Communique at the end of the Workshop.
Thank you.
Prof. C. O. Adewunmi
Consultant
COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY THE PARTICIPANTS AT THE END OF TRAINING OF RAINERS
[T.O.T] WORKSHOP ON SCHISTOSOMIASIS CONTROL IN ONDO STATE FROM 3TH-21ST
DECEMBER, 2000 AT CONFERENCE HALL, STATE SPECIALIST HOSPITAL, AKURE
This Training of Trainers (T. O. T.) workshop was conducted for thirty (30)
participants which consisted of Schistosomiasis Control Officers from all
the eighteen (18) Local Government areas in the state, State Ministry of
Health Officers and Health Management Board Officers (HBM). These
participants will be responsible for subsequent training of other Health
Officers in the state and Local Governments so as to achieve the objective
of the project.
The workshop was a nine -day programme, which consisted of theory and
practical sessions and field trips. Eminent international resource persons
on the following topics presented papers: -
(a) Epidemiology of human African Schistosomiasis
(b) Taxonomy, Morphology, biology and transmission of human African
Schistosomiasis.
(c) Planning and organisation of epidemiological studies.
(d) Methodology of study of human African Schistosomiasis.
(e) Identification of schistosome eggs, cercarial and adult worms.
(f) Diagnosis of human African Schistosomiasis.
(g) Parasitological Techniques
(h) Control of Schistosomiasis.
(i) Morphorlogy, anatomy and dissection of snails.
(j) Identification of snails, Ecology and Control of Snails
(k) Chemotherapy of Schistosomiasis.
At the end of the Workshop, the participants unanimously agreed that the
objective of the workshop has been achieved and they have been adequately
equipped to train other health workers in schistosomiasis Control.
However, the participants felt that for the objective of the control
programme to be properly achieved, the following issues should be seriously
considered:
1. Advocacy meetings should be held by the State and local government
policy makers to sensitise them on the gravity of the situation and
preventive measures;
2. Promotion of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Aridan) tree. Aridan tree is a
local plant readily available in the state and can be cultivated in any
vegetation in the southern part of the country. It has been known and
accepted by our local communities over the years to have medicinal and
nutritive properties.
This wonderful plant has been authenticated nationally and
internationally to be effective as a molluscicide.
In view of this, it is suggested that Ondo State Government should
invest in the planting of Aridan trees at the riverbanks of areas suspected
to be endemic site.
In pursuant of this, it is suggested that the ministry of Health should
collaborate with Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources and relevant
departments at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile- Ife.
3 Government should source for funds from external donors to implement
various aspect of the programme.
4 Government should embark on mass training to improve skills of Health
Workers in all the relevant areas e.g. Health Education and Laboratory Unit.
5 Government should endeavour to equip laboratory adequately to facilitate
easy diagnosis and effective treatment.
6 Once this programme takes off, Government should ensure adequate supply
of relevant drugs at all times.
7 It is suggested that there should be an effective monitoring team to
ensure that all the five strategies of control programme are carried out
simultaneously vis-=E0-vis
a) Health Education
b) Control Of snails
c) Chemotherapy strategy
d) Improve water supply
e) Improve sanitation
8 Government should provide adequate logistic supports to run the project
both at the State and Local Government Levels.
9 Government should strengthen various programmes that have direct bearing
on the lives of the rural people e .g. Construction of pit latrines,
sinking of bore holes and wells.
10 Government should provide a room/space out of the existing one at the
State Hospital to act as a laboratory where provisions can be made
diagnosis/for raising of snails which can help in the control programme.
=46inally, the participants expressed their gratitude to the Executive
Governor of Ondo State, Chief Adefari for his commitment and support for
this programme. The participants also express their gratitude to the state
Ministry of Health for organising this important Training Workshop.
Participants promised to make best use of the knowledge they have gained
during the training programme.
=8A=8A=8A=8A=8A=8A=8A=8A =8A=8A=8A=8A=8A=8A=8A=8A=8A..
Dr. Olawole, G. A. Mr.E. B. Fajuko
Chairman secretary
Communiqu=E9 Committee Members
1. Dr. G. A. Olawole - Chairman
2. Mrs. J. E. Akerele
3. Mrs. C. O. Awe
4. Mrs. M.T. Abiodun Fowowe
5. Mr. Olafisoye
6. Mr. E.B. Fajuko . -Secretary
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Attachment converted: Macintosh HD:T.O.T.doc (WDBN/MSWD) (000172A6)
David A. Johnston,
Secretary to the WHO Schistosoma Genome Network,
Biomedical Parasitology Division,
Dept. of Zoology,
The Natural History Museum,
Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, England, UK.
Tel: 020-7942-5566/5008/5152
=46ax: 020-7942-5347
(from outside the UK: 44-20-7942 ****)
eMail daj at nhm.ac.ukhttp://www.nhm.ac.uk/hosted_sites/schisto/
The Biomedical Parasitology Division is a WHO Collaborating Centre for the
identification of schistosomes and their snail hosts.
