Day: July 3, 2024

Stakeholders at an advocacy meeting on persons living with neglected Tropical Diseases, (NTDs) have called on state actors to include them on special government programmes.

They established that one of the major challenges of persons suffering from these NTDs was the low-income levels which ultimately affected their ability to pay for health care and daily living.

Such diseases, particularly Lymphatic Filariasis/Elephantiasis with its associated leg enlargement and acute pain made most affected unable to work and earn income.

Meanwhile, the disease condition is endemic in 116 Districts across 12 Regions of the country with an estimated patient of 5,400.

Dr. Joseph Kwadwo Larbi Opare, the National Programmes Manager for the NTDs explained that the disease was not spiritual, or a curse as had been the notion over the years, but a parasitic infection from an infected mosquito.

He said so far, many results had been achieved through mass drug administration, education and awareness and morbidity management.

He said Lymphatic filariasis could affect one’s breast, hand, penis, vulva, and the scrotum among other.

Dr. Opare said Ghana was gradually winning the fight against the condition as 109 District have eliminated the condition.

The condition, invariably, made the affected disabled by inhibiting normal life processes, thus requiring the affected to rely on aids to properly function.

He added that, the programme through the morbidity management intervention had done well in alleviating the suffering of patients adding, ‘when we are able to put them on LEAP, NHIS and other social schemes, we are halfway giving both the affected and the family some hope’.

Dr. Gifty Amugi, the Western Regional Deputy Director of Health Services said the target was to end new infections and ensure that the affected lived a dignified life.

She reiterated that the condition was not from any evil source but career mosquito, hence the need to keep one’s surroundings clean.

Also, Health professionals, family, and community at large
were encouraged not to stigmatise such persons as disability was everyone’s lot at any time.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) has announced a disruption of oxygen supply at the facility following an emergency shut down of its oxygen plant.

A statement issued by the TTH in Tamale signed by Mr Emmanuel Donkor, its Director of Administration, said, ‘The Management of TTH wishes to inform our cherished clients and the general public about the disruption in the supply of oxygen at the hospital.’

The statement explained that ‘The oxygen plant experienced an unexpected technical challenge necessitating an emergeney shut down.’

It said, ‘In the meantime, we have arranged with other producers and sister facilities to meet optimal supply.’

It added that ‘Management is also working diligently to resolve the challenge. We reckon that this may cause inconvenience to clients and service providers alike.’

Source: Ghana News Agency

The Vector Control Department of ‘Zoomlion Ghana Limited’ has indicated that the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) has targeted 12 Municipalities and Districts in the Volta and Oti Regions to eliminate malaria.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Ghana is making some substantial progress in eliminating malaria, moving from the control stage to the elimination stage.

Mr Isaac Ablormeti, the Vector Control Director of Zoomlion in the Volta and Oti Regions, disclosed to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the NMEP, Zoomlion, and the Ghana Health Service would implement measures to combat malaria in some areas notable for recording increasing cases.

He explained that Zoomlion introduced Larval Source Management, which involved monthly disinfection of mosquito breeding sites in affected areas to prevent mosquitoes from developing beyond the early stages.

Mr Ablormeti noted that the targeted MMDAs in Volta include, Keta, Ketu-North, Ketu-South, Ho, Hohoe, Anloga, Ho West, and South Tongu
Districts.

Those in Oti include Kadjebi, Nkwanta South, Krachi West, and Krachi East Districts where significant efforts were underway to eliminate malaria.

He urged the various MMDAs to continue supporting the efforts of Zoomlion, NMEP, Ghana Health Service, and other partners in the fight against malaria.

The Ghana Health Service reported that the malaria testing rate had improved, from 38 per cent in 2012 to 98 per cent in 2023.

Additionally, malaria prevalence has also decreased from 27.5 per cent in 2011 to 8.6 per cent in 2022 with malaria-related deaths dropping from 2,799 in 2012 to 146 in 2023.

Source: Ghana News Agency