World NTDs DAY: FCTA Takes Sensitization Train To University Of Abuja

By: Prudence Okonna

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA)
has extended it sensitization campaign on Neglected Tropical Diseases to students of the University of Abuja.

The campaign, which is aimed at improving the awareness about Neglected Tropical Diseases among undergraduate students was held as part of activities in commemoration of the World NTDs Day 2025.

Speaking during the sensitisation programme, Dean Faculty of Science, University of Abuja, Professor Ahmed Dankishiya, appreciated the FCT-Public Health Department for coming to educate the students;
adding that his office is actively working on improving the courses to educate students further about NTDs.

He expressed willingness of the Faculty to encourage the students to research more on NTDs and work towards its eradication.

Dankishiya reiterated the need for the students to be aware of NTDs, especially
as it pertains to the sanitary preventions for NTDs.

Also speaking, FCT-NTDs Coordinator, Dr. Eunice Ogundipe, revealed that the objective of the sensitisation exercise is to stimulate the interest of the students who have little or no knowledge about the diseases.

Ogundipe laments that students tend to focus their research work on other areas of public health concerns like Malaria, HIV among others.

Her words: “The diseases are not just neglected but the interest for research is as well. We want to stimulate the interest of these students today”.

A student of Faculty of Science, Department of Biological Sciences, Endurance Otata, thanked the FCT-Public Health Department for the sensitisation programme; adding that he has gained enlightenment on the preventable causes and treatment of some NTDs.

He revealed that before the sensitisation programme, he didn’t realise that some vectors of these NTDs were domiciled stagnant water.

Abuja Digest reports that NTDs are a group of parasitic and bacterial infections associated with poverty which are prevalent in areas with poor sanitation, inadequate or lack of safe water sources and substandard housing conditions.