Accra: The Ghana Health Service (GHS) will embark on a nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign from June 20 to July 3, 2026, targeting nearly eight million people with preventive treatment against three Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). The exercise will provide free medication for onchocerciasis (river blindness), lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis), and schistosomiasis (bilharzia) in affected communities across the country.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, Director General of GHS, announced at a media briefing in Accra that the campaign is part of Ghana's strategy to eliminate NTDs as a public health threat by 2030. It aims to sustain the gains made in disease control over the years. The campaign will cover 86 onchocerciasis-endemic districts in 15 regions, with about 266,000 people in two elephantiasis-endemic districts receiving treatment. Community deworming against schistosomiasis will also occur in 13 districts across eight regions.
Dr. Akoriyea emphasized that, except for children under five years, pregnant women, and individuals who have previously experienced severe reactions to the medicines, all eligible persons in targeted communities are expected to participate in the exercise. He highlighted the importance of Mass Drug Administration as an effective intervention for controlling and eliminating neglected tropical diseases, with medicines recommended by the World Health Organization.
Dr. Joseph Larbi Opare, NTD Programme Manager for GHS, noted Ghana's remarkable progress in combating neglected tropical diseases, aligning with the World Health Organization's 2030 elimination targets. Ghana has significantly reduced onchocerciasis-endemic districts, and schistosomiasis is nearing elimination in several areas. The country has previously eliminated guinea worm disease, trachoma, and human African trypanosomiasis as public health problems.
Mr. Solomon Ananya, NTD Project Manager for World Vision Ghana, expressed concern over declining donor support and called for increased domestic financing to sustain elimination efforts. He mentioned efforts to establish a National NTD Fund to mobilize resources from various sectors, aiming to bridge emerging financing gaps.
Neglected tropical diseases are a group of preventable and treatable infectious diseases affecting impoverished communities. They can lead to severe disability and chronic illness if untreated. According to the World Health Organization, more than one billion people worldwide are affected by these diseases, which remain a significant public health challenge globally. Mass drug administration is a key strategy for preventing transmission and achieving elimination targets.