The Parasitology and Public Health Society of Nigeria (PPSN) has admitted 15 members into the College of Fellows in recognition of their contributions to better the society.
The society honoured the members at a dinner held during its 47th Annual Conference and commemoration of its 50th anniversary in Owerri.
The PPSN President, Prof. Sammy Sam-Wobo, commended the awardees for their contribution to the society and, particularly, toward the elimination and control of diseases in Nigeria and Africa.
However, Sam-Wobo, a professor of Parasitology and Public Health, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, regretted that control and elimination of diseases in Nigeria had been donor-driven.
“The problem we have had over time in Nigeria is that the control and elimination of diseases have been donor-driven, which means that it is the external people putting in their money.
“It is one thing to make provisions for disease control and elimination in the country’s budget, and another thing to ensure the release of funds.
“Control and elimination of diseases funding is low in Nigeria,” he said.
Sam-Wobo urged State and Federal Governments as well as well-meaning Nigerians to invest in the nation’s disease control and elimination, including schistosomiasis and soil transmitted helminthiasis.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the admitted fellows included the Country Director of Sightsavers Nigeria and Ghana, Dr Sunday Isiyaku and Vice Chancellor, Delta State University, Abraka, Prof. Andy Egwunyenga.
Others included Prof. Rebecca Naphtali, Prof. Abdulhamid Ahmed, Prof. Dennis Aribodor, Prof. Kenneth Opara, Prof. Florence Nduka, Prof. Ehizogie Egbeobauwaye-Adeyemi, Prof. Alexander Odaibo, Prof. Nkiruka Orji and Prof. Onyinye Ukpai.They also included Dr Sam Ugbomoiko, Prof. Olaoluwa Akinwale, Prof. Okpok Okon and Chief Benjamin Nwobi, who are all parasitology and public health experts.
Isiyaku told newsmen on the sideline of the event that the society would continue to partner the Federal Ministry of Health in the control and elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Nigeria, Africa and globally.
The country director said his organisation had provided treatment of NTDs to over 590 million people globally, through partnership with governments and other development partners.
He said Sightsavers, in collaboration with state governments and development partners, has interrupted transmission of onchocerciasis and trachoma in four states in northwest Nigeria.
“Sightsaver focuses on preventing avoidable causes of blindness and promoting equality for people with disabilities.
“I don’t think there is any greater recognition that one can receive apart from the one received from peers who recognises your contributions to parasitology and public health.
“I could not have reached where I am without the contribution of my organisation, Sightsaver who gave me the platform to work hard and contribute my quota towards the elimination of neglected tropical disease,” he said.
NAN further reports that PPSN, which was formed in 1973, comprises parasitology and public health experts.
The group promotes parasitology and public health research looking towards the control and elimination of diseases in Nigeria, Africa and globally.
