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More than 2,000 cases of neglected tropical diseases ((NTDs) have been recorded in Afigya Sekyere East district of Ashanti region.
District health director Judge Ofori-Amoah said diseases such as Buruli ulcer, yaws and lymphatic filariasis continue to burden the district health system.
He said this at an event to mark World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day in Motokroduakrom.
Neglected tropical diseases are a group of diseases that occur in tropical and subtropical climatic conditions and are closely related to poverty.
They therefore thrive in areas where access to adequate sanitation, clean water and health care is limited, such as in remote and rural areas, informal settlements or areas of conflict.
It occurs in people living near animals and carriers of infectious diseases.
The district recently embarked on disease surveillance.
Some of these diseases include Chagas disease, dengue fever, guinea worm disease, echinococcosis, foodborne trematodiasis, sleeping sickness, leprosy, elephantiasis, river blindness, rabies , schistosomiasis, soil-borne helminthiasis, tapeworm (pig tapeworm), blinding trachoma, among others.
Mr. Justice says, “They make sure all diseases in the district are identified and treated.”
According to the head of disease control, Oppong Ampratwum, the district recorded 1,828 scabies, 13 Buruli ulcers, 4 leprosy, 14 yaws and 18 elephantiasis.
He is worried about the effect of scabies, for example, on education.
“If you have a child with this disease, he is likely to drop out of school,” he revealed.
Although treatment for NTDs is free, Mr. Ampratwum called on caring individuals and organizations to come to their aid in reaching more people.
“Treatment by the Ghana Health Service is free, but surgery, for example, is not free,” he said.
The event which is under the theme: “Facing NTDs and Neglect”, saw the treatment of people affected by the diseases.
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