From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Zamfara state wing, has concluded arrangements towards giving free medical screening and treatment on Urinary Schistosomiasis to 1000 adults and children of Tazame village, in Bungudu local government area of the state.
In a press conference, organised by the association to mark its third annual general meeting and scientific conference yesterday, at Yariman Bakura Specialist Hospital, the state Chairman, Dr. Sunday Onazi, informed that the NMA would embark on the exercise, considering the implication of the disease and the dearth of knowledge of the people on its symptoms.
Dr. Onazi further disclosed that the association had noticed with deep concern that the inhabitants of Tazame village were addicted to the use of ponds as their bathing spots, which is believed to be a disease transmitting joint.
“There is tendency for the people of Tazame, who are habitually taking their baths in the ponds, to develop the Urinary Schistosomiasis, and they may be handicapped against access to medication; so we take it necessary to stretch the assisting hands of NMA to 1,000 people that may be found victims”, Onazi stressed.
Onazi said the state chapter of the NMA has also resolved to join the nationwide strike scheduled for July 1, if the federal government failed to meet the demand of the NMA.
The state commissioner of Health, Alhaji Kabir Ahmed Janyu, represented by the Director of Public Health services, Dr. Habib Yelwa said the state government is set to employ more medical staff to complement the service of the health sector and also continue to provide enabling environment for medical practitioners in the state.
