Ghana Health Service Launches Mass Drug Administration
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Loading... - Samake Agna
- 08 Jun 2023
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The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has launched a large-scale drug administration campaign to combat Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in districts affected by these diseases.
The Mass Drug Administration (MDA) initiative aims to eliminate NTDs like onchocerciasis (river blindness) and lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) by 2030.
The MDA program will be implemented in 76 districts where onchocerciasis is prevalent, targeting a population of approximately 5.4 million individuals. Additionally, seven districts with a high prevalence of lymphatic filariasis, affecting around 400,000 individuals, will also be covered.
During the national launch in Koforidua in 2023, Dr. Anthony Adofo Ofosu, Deputy Director-General of GHS, highlighted the achievements of the GHS NTD Programme in 2022. With the support of stakeholders, they achieved treatment coverage rates of 83.8% for lymphatic filariasis and 84.2% and 83.4% for onchocerciasis in the first and second treatment rounds, respectively.
Dr. Ofosu explained that both onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis can be effectively treated using a community-based approach. Trained non-health personnel can administer safe and effective drugs to the affected population.
He emphasized that preventing and controlling NTDs is crucial for alleviating extreme poverty within the next two decades. The MDA approach involves administering medication once or twice a year to eligible individuals, which can significantly reduce the burden of NTDs and even lead to complete elimination after three to seven years of implementation.
Madam Stella Panwum, Director of Administration at the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council, representing Mr. Seth Acheampong, the Eastern Regional Minister, acknowledged the positive outcomes achieved through mass drug administration, morbidity control, management, and health education in endemic districts. She stressed the need for additional efforts to halt the transmission of NTDs by 2030.
She mentioned that schistosomiasis (Bilharzia) and intestinal worm infestation among school-age children would also be addressed by the national program in the coming months.
Madam Panwum highlighted the high risk of NTD transmission in the region due to the use of stagnant water for vegetable cultivation and children swimming in riverbeds. The Kwahu Afram Plains North, Kwahu Afram Plains South, and Kwahu East districts were identified as priority areas.
According to Dr. Felicia Owusu Antwi, a WHO representative, mass drug administration is the recommended strategy for halting the spread of NTDs. Support for onchocerciasis and other chemotherapy-related NTDs has been provided by WHO across Africa, particularly in Ghana. The support includes financial assistance, operational aid, disease burden mapping, medicine delivery, and supply chain management.
To enhance the effectiveness of MDAs, Dr. Antwi suggested strengthening the use of technology for data acquisition. She also emphasized the importance of equipping communities with relevant health information to facilitate behavioral changes.
Mrs. Irene Dzathor, Project Director of USAID's Act to End NTDs-West Programme, announced that 108 out of 116 endemic districts for lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis in Ghana have achieved a significant interruption of transmission. Currently, MDA transmission assessments are being conducted in 61 out of 137 endemic districts.
She expressed the commitment of the Act to End NTDs-West Programme to support the Ghana Health Service and the government. Their aim is to ensure that by 2030, onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis are no longer public health concerns in Ghana. Mrs. Dzathor assured that the program would continue to provide financial support and technical assistance, ensuring that all at-risk populations, especially those affected by onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, and other chemotherapy-related NTDs, have access to preventive treatment therapy.
