By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
The inaugural lecturer.
A Parasitology and Entomology expert, Professor, Jacqueline Azumi Badaki, has called on the Federal Government to establish a Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).
The Professor made the call on Wednesday in Lokoja when she delivered the Federal University of Lokoja 12th Inaugural Lecture, entitled, "The Endless War Between Neglected Tropical Diseases and Populations Overlooked.
According to her, such a center could focus on capacity building and research on improved NTD management which would involve diagnostics, preventive treatments, environmental manipulation, and disability management for better health.
"Such a center could also take the lead in advocacy for improved financing of NTDs control and health policy researches that could inform new strategies for the control and elimination of NTDs," the don said.
Badaki, an international scholar, noted that whereas millions of individuals had been receiving various medicines for several years on an annual basis in the bid to eliminate NTDs, there had not been much effort made to know what plans the parasites "have up their sleeves".
The don stressed the need for her colleagues to begin conversation and research around "what is going on around the world of the parasites", for they not be taken unawares in the future.
The don stressed the need for her colleagues, especially those in infectious disease research, to increase efforts in institutional and individual commitments for a robust multidisciplinary and multisectoral collaboration in the collective efforts to eliminate NTDs from Nigeria.
The university lecturer described parasitology as the study of the biology of parasites, adding that entomology deals with the study of arthropods/insects and their relationship to humans, the environment, and other organisms.
According to Google, Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of 20 conditions that are mainly prevalent in tropical areas, where they affect more than 1 billion people who live in impoverished communities. They are caused by a variety of pathogens including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi, and toxins.
In his speech at the occasion, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof.Olayemi Akinwumi, commended the inaugural lecturer for her erudite scholarship which he noted had taken her to many parts of the world.
He described Badaki as a pride not only to the Federal University, Lokoja but also to the international academic community.
Our correspondent reports that Professor Badaki,, received prizes from the university management, her department, and students.
Some of her relatives were part of the audience at the event with prizes.
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