The Ghana Health Service on 21st May, 2024, organized a town hall advocacy meeting at the New Juaben Municipal Library Conference Hall, Koforidua, Eastern Region, with the aim to address the urgent need to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in the region.
Dr. Winfred K. Ofosu, the Eastern Regional Health Director, emphasized the devastating impact of NTDs on disadvantaged communities worldwide, citing effects like blindness, lymphatic enlargement, and cognitive impairment. Stressing the need for concerted action, he highlighted three primary strategies: mass drug administration in all endemic districts annually or bi-annually, morbidity management, and health education in affected communities.
With twenty (20) NTDs identified, including schistosomiasis and leprosy, the Director underscored Ghana’s challenging geographic conditions as contributors to high prevalence rates. He emphasized the Ghana Health Service’s commitment to collaborative efforts with agencies and stakeholders to implement these strategies effectively and achieve NTD elimination goals. Dr. Ofosu noted that, partners to the NTD program were World Health Organization (WHO), Act to End NTDs, USAID, Sight Savers, FHI360 and other NGOs in Health.
The Head of Administration, Ms. Stella Panwum, who delivered a speech on behalf of the Hon. Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Kwame Acheampong, noted that, the geographical conditions and features of the Region was very conducive for the transmission of some of these diseases. Thus, fast flowing rivers with rocky beds and thicket fringes, waters for vegetable farming and swimming by children had all contributed to the high prevalence of NTDs. He noted that, the Ghana Health Service and its Partners, through great efforts, was working to reduce the pattern to safe and manageable levels in the region and the country at large.
He emphasized that, the government and the Ghana Health Service would continue to strengthen collaboration with all agencies and stakeholders with the aim of exploring all the three strategies as adopted earlier to be able to eliminate these NTDs.
Dr. John Ekow Otoo, Deputy Director of Public Health, Eastern Region, outlined key regional activities, such as NTD surveillance and support for NGOs. Highlighting on the progress in leprosy treatment, he outlined plans for data validation of post-Mass Drug Administration to ensure accurate reporting.
Mr. Joseph Opare, Program Manager of the Neglected Tropical Diseases Program, discussed challenges like funding shortages and security concerns during fieldwork. He urged prompt hospital visits for early detection and treatment of NTD symptoms.
Rev. Dr. Joyce Aryee, who is the NTD Ambassador, urged for a collective action toward the 2030 NTD elimination mandate, stressing the importance of local solutions and their contribution to universal health coverage and Sustainable Development Goals.
She said through collaborative advocacy efforts like this, stakeholders aim to mitigate the social and economic burdens of NTDs, paving the way for healthier communities in region and beyond.