Stakeholders move to tackle HAT in Enugu

Stakeholders in the health sector have resolved to collaborate to improve medical personnel’s sensitisation concerning the high suspicion index of Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) (Sleeping Sickness) in Enugu State.

They also identified the need to liaise with the World Health Organisation (WHO) state office and other local and international organizations for requisite resources to curb the possible resurgence of HAT in the State and Nigeria.

Rising from their meeting held at the Vaccine Research Centre (VRC) of the University of Nigeria, Enugu campus, they stated that research findings in Enugu State and other parts of Nigeria indicated the occurrence of the disease among the populace without medical diagnosis and reporting.

Stakeholders at the meeting stated that the Vaccine Research Centre has demonstrated the presence of the disease in patients attending a hospital in Enugu state.

They blamed the lack of coordination in HAT surveillance, the disparity between WHO data and research reports in the literature, limited access to field surveillance kits for detecting HAT cases, the unreliability of some diagnostic test kits for detecting HAT, lack of awareness and capacity for physicians to suspect and query potential HAT cases and

high probability of misdiagnosis for malaria due to the similarity of symptoms with malaria, especially at the early stage is responsible for the surge.

Dr Onyinye Chime, the chairman, and Ebuka Ugwu, the Secretary, resolved to build capacity and improve sensitization for health workers by the health authorities and partners to improve case detection.

They agreed that researchers should be encouraged to conduct, publish, and disseminate their findings to improve data availability from Enugu and other parts of the country.

“There is a need to have a well-coordinated HAT surveillance across the state by the State Ministry of Health and partners. There is a need to harmonize and publicize HAT reporting protocols by health authorities for clarity and efficacy,” they said.

“There is a need to improve access to appropriate diagnostic tools for HAT in Nigeria by health authorities. Surveillance kits should be validated in Nigeria by the Ministry of Health before deployment for field use to ensure sensitivity.”

Sources stated that the disease is mainly transmitted through the bite of Tsetse flies (Glossina), but mother-to-child transmission, and transmission through sexual contact have also been implicated. The symptoms include seizures, and sleep disorders in the later stages.