The Sunyani West Municipality has recorded a significant increase in cases of skin-related Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), according to the Municipal Disease Control Officer, Mrs Benedicta Oppong Fremah.
She disclosed that about 70 new cases of hydrocele and elephantiasis have been recorded in various communities within the municipality, describing the trend as worrying.
Mrs Oppong Fremah also indicated that suspected cases of Buruli ulcer have been detected, with samples sent for laboratory confirmation. She noted that the condition is prevalent in communities such as Tanom, Kobedi, Chiraa and Boffourkrom.
She called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to help curb the spread of the diseases.
Mrs Oppong Fremah made the remarks at a meeting held at Odomase, which brought together officials of the Global Media Foundation (GloMeF) and Tim Africa Aid Ghana, NGOs implementing an NTDs project in the municipality.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for the organisations to introduce a delegation from the Anesvad Foundation, which is funding the Community Integration and Systems Strengthening Project aimed at reducing the burden of skin-related NTDs.
The delegation, made up of Madam Naomi Dring, Programme Manager of Anesvad, and Mr Melvin Awantang, Anesvad Focal Point for Ghana, visited the municipality to assess the impact of the project and receive feedback on its implementation.
The Sunyani West Municipal Director of Health Services, Mr Stephen Nyarko Ameyaw, stressed the need for strong partnerships to improve health outcomes and called for additional support to intensify public education on NTDs.
The Municipal Coordinating Director, Alhaji Ibrahim Habila, expressed concern about deaths linked to preventable diseases such as cholera, typhoid and other waterborne infections in the area.
He commended the NGOs and their partners for the intervention and assured them of the Assembly’s commitment to support the project.
“We are committed to ensuring that the root of preventable diseases is uprooted,” he said.
Alhaji Habila added that the Assembly was working to improve access to potable water in communities and appealed for further support.
Madam Dring praised the collaboration between the Assembly and local partners and expressed optimism that the partnership would be strengthened to achieve project objectives.
Mr Raphael Godlove Ahenu, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of GloMeF, explained that the project adopts a holistic approach combining water infrastructure, hygiene education and community-led systems to sustainably reduce skin NTDs.
Mr Edward Ayabila, Programmes Manager of GloMeF, noted that NTDs remain endemic in the municipality and urged the Assembly to integrate the fight against them into its medium-term development plan.
The Anesvad delegation later handed over a mechanised borehole constructed under the project to the chiefs and people of the Chiraa-Canada community and interacted with persons affected by skin NTDs.
Some beneficiaries shared testimonies of improved access to healthcare and better socio-economic conditions as a result of the interventions.
