The Ghana Health Service (GHS), through its Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) programme, is set to conduct the 2024 Mass Drug Administration (MDA) nationwide against Onchocerciasis (river blindness) and lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) in the country.
The exercise, scheduled to start from July 15th to July 26th, 2024, forms part of efforts to eliminate NTDs in Ghana by the year 2030.
Speaking at the launch of the project in Accra on Thursday July 11, the Director-General of the GHS, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, indicated that the Mass Drug Administration programme was targeted at reaching about 5.8 million people in 15 onchocerciasis-endemic regions and 440,000 people at risk in three lymphatic filariasis-endemic regions.
He added that this move would ensure that the diseases and their associated burdens are eradicated completely.
“Preventing and controlling NTDs is central to eradicating poverty in the next two decades. The river blindness and lymphatic filariasis can be targeted through a highly effective integrated community treatment approach, using drugs that have been proven safe and effective and can be delivered by trained, non-health personnel,” he said.
Dr Kuma-Aboagye also urged Ghanaians to actively partake in the upcoming Mass Drug Administration programme to collectively combat NTDs in the country.
He emphasised that, due to the stigma associated with these diseases, many people shy away from seeking the right medical attention.
“We need all the help we can get from the community. You know stigma is not a good thing and also prevents people from coming out to take these lifesaving medications. So, we’re calling on the media, to encourage people that this is for their good and is safe,” he added.
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