Carter Centre poise to eradicate guinea-worm in Nigeria

Efforts are being put in place to ensure the eradication of Guinea-worm in Nigeria before the end of the year.

A former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon made this known in Abuja at a news briefing to mark the 2008 Carter Centre Awards for Guinea-worm.

General Gowon, a member of the Centre, said much was done to rid the country of the disease last year.

He gave an assurance that with only sixteen cases left, Nigeria would soon join other African countries to stamp out the disease.

Speaking earlier, former US President Jimmy Carter, who is the founder of the Centre, said he is committed to the eradication of the disease in Africa in general and Nigeria in particular. Mr Carter expressed gratitude to the Nigerian Government for the reception accorded him.

They are Burkina Faso, Cote D’Ivoire, Ethiopia and Togo.  Correspondent reports that the Carter Centre spearheads the International Guinea-worm eradication campaign with support from World Health Organisation, UNICEF and National Ministries of Health.