Lagos — Minister of Health, Professor Adenike Grange, has said a lot had been achieved in the global war against onchocerciasis, also known as River Blindness.

Grange said this weekend, at the donation of 12 vehicles and other equipment to enhance control of the scourge, by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Grnage said, "onchocerciasis is a parasitic disease and part of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) which are communicable diseases of the neglected poor populations like those living in rural areas and slums, and linked to poverty, unsafe water, poor sanitation, substandard housing, reservoir for insects and other disease vectors."

Represented by her Technical Adviser, Dr Tukur Malami, Grange said "the consequences are severe physical pain, irreversible disability, gross disfigurement and in some cases, death.

"The Federal Ministry of Health is mapping out strategies for effective integration of these programmes, so that deliberate and uniform policies guiding implementation can be developed and adhered to strictly for effectiveness. Having successfully implemented the Community Directed Treatment with Ivermectin (CDTI) in 32 states and the Federal Capital Territory for several years, we encourage usage of the community directed strategy, where feasible, for the control and management of the various neglected diseases," she said.