Ghana Health Service Launches 2024 Nationwide Drug Campaign Against NTDs

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has launched the 2024 Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign to combat Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)

The launch took place in Koforidua, and tagged: “Unite, Act, Eliminate.”

The MDA initiative, involving treatment for entire populations, had participation from various sectors, including education, health, and local government.

Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, representing the GHS Director-General, emphasized the campaign’s focus on Lymphatic Filariasis and Onchocerciasis, diseases prevalent in impoverished communities that cause severe stigma and disability.

He explained that Onchocerciasis, or river blindness, is caused by parasitic worms transmitted by blackflies and affects the skin and eyes, while Lymphatic Filariasis, or elephantiasis, is spread by mosquitoes and leads to severe swelling. Both diseases can be prevented and treated.

The World Health Organization (WHO) supports the MDA approach as a core strategy to control NTDs, involving a single dose of medication for eligible individuals once or twice a year. This year’s campaign targets 77 onchocerciasis-endemic districts to reach 5.8 million people and three lymphatic filariasis-endemic districts to reach 440,000 at-risk individuals.

Dr. Felicia Antwi of the WHO and Ms. Irene Dzathor of USAID were emphatic about the importance of resource optimization, supervision, and data management, as well as the need for surveillance and services for those suffering from NTD-related morbidities.

Mr. Joseph Kwadwo Opare, Programme Manager of the NTD Programme at the GHS, spoke about the commitment to a community-led and inter-sectoral approach to reduce NTD prevalence to a non-significant public health level by 2030.