An international agro company, Olam Food Industries (Ofi) has partnered the Kwara Government to treat communities across the 16 local government areas of the state on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that three local government areas were selected for intensive sensitisation against NTDs and harmful practices that predispose people to the debilitating disease.

Speaking on the sidelines of the sensitisation, Alhaji Ajibade Idris, the Factory Manager of Ofi Cashew Industries, explained that the enlightenment organised in conjunction with the government is to create awareness on the dangers of NTDs.

He said the company has done a lot of community engagement programmes, and that free surgical interventions for some indigent patients suffering from topical diseases would take place on Nov. 28 at the Civil Service Hospital in Ilorin.

According to him, the agro company is complementing the efforts of the state government in area of health intervention to provide improved quality healthcare to citizens.

“We are doing our part to improve the welfare of our people in the society,” he said.

Mrs Yemisi Bamigboye, the state Coordinator for NTDs, commended the efforts of Ofi on its support for health intervention across the state.

She described NTDs as viral, parasitic and bacterial diseases that mainly affect the world's poorest people, adding that it is a dangerous disease that can lead to deformity and affect quality of life of people.

According to her, some NTDs include Schistosomiasis, Elephantiasis, Dengue Fever, Guinea Worm Disease..

Also while presenting food packages to the communities, Ms Emmauela Amher, a Staff of Ofi, affirmed the readiness of the company on continued community service and promotion of impacting projects.

She explained that the agro industry is also committed on health intervention of the host communities and the state at large.

In his appreciative remarks, a community Leader in Okanle, Ifelodun Local Government Area, Mr Gabriel Taiwo, commended Ofi and the state government for the humanitarian services.

He added that the sensitisation on the disease has afforded people in the community to know more about the disease and avoid some harmful practices that can precipitate NTDs.

According to him, the area consists of nine communities that will benefit greatly from the health intervention.

NAN reports that some of the benefitting communities included Aboto, Foko Oja and Okanle, who got food packages and nutrition supplements for their families as well as deworming drugs.

NAN