Nkawie: Dr Justice Thomas Sevugu, the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipal Director of Health, has emphasized the necessity for collective action to combat Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in communities. He highlighted that stigmatisation is a significant barrier preventing individuals infected by these diseases from seeking timely medical attention.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr Sevugu urged community members to stop stigmatizing those with symptoms of diseases such as leprosy, buruli ulcer, yaws, trachoma, elephantiasis, and bilharzia. He stressed the importance of supporting affected individuals to report to health facilities early for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Dr Sevugu delivered this message during a community durbar commemorating this year's World NTDs Day at Nkawie.
The event was organized by Rural Relief Services (RRS), an NGO based in Dunkwa-on-Offin, in collaboration with the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipal Health Directorate, the Municipal Assembly, Ghana Education Service, and the Nkawie traditional council, with funding from the Anesvad Foundation, a Spanish NGO. The durbar, themed 'Unite, Act and Eliminate: Advancing Efforts to End Neglected Tropical Diseases,' aimed to raise awareness about the significant public health challenges posed by NTDs.
Mr Jones Owusu Sekyere, Project Coordinator of the Community Integrated Skin NTDs Control Project at RRS, outlined the organization's strategies to address NTDs in Ghana. These strategies include community public education and sensitization to promote early detection, treatment, and management of NTDs. He noted that these diseases predominantly affect vulnerable populations in underserved areas.
RRS is intensifying its public education campaign to raise awareness about the disease in its operational regions, including Dunkwa, Obuasi, and Nyinahin. Mr Sekyere called on all community members to contribute to the fight against NTDs by disseminating information within their localities.
Nana Kofi Darko III, Nkawie-Kurontihene, praised the organizers, sponsors, and other stakeholders for their commitment to improving the health of people in the area.