Dr Frederick Adomako Boateng, the Ashanti Regional Director of Ghana Health Services (GHSs), has stated that about 98% of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are not spiritual, as perceived by the general public.
He said NTDs are curable and the primary goal of elimination is by appropriate treatment by 2030 through the Mass Drugs Administration, morbidity control management to eliminate the diseases.
Some of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are Leprosy, Buruli Ulcer, Rabies, Soil Transmitted Helminthes, Trachoma, Schistosomiasis and Yaws.
Dr Adomako Boateng disclosed this at the launch of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) organised by Women’s Hope Foundation at the Regional Health Directorate, under the theme: “Combating Skin NTDs through Gender Equality perspective in Ghana”.
He commended Women’s Hope Foundation (WHF) for the laudable initiative towards addressing discrimination against persons affected by the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).
He explained that a group of 20 infectious and parasitic diseases which affect over a billion people worldwide are in extreme poverty, severely delimiting and disabling.
According to him, they are being neglected because of their economic situations, lack of political voice, lack of visibility and low risk perception. They are also being neglected by health Authorities, Health professionals, families and relatives.
Mr. Alex Adusi, the Executive Director of Women’s Hope Foundation explained that in order to eliminate the NTDs in the country, communities needed basic Social Determinants of health, and announced that the foundation provides clean water, employment, toilet facilities, NTD Education and information, provide care and support for people with skin NTDs, awareness and sensitisation.
Nana Kofi Oppong III, Atimatim Dikro, and Chairman for the occasion commended the Foundation for the initiative towards creating awareness and sensitization against discrimination and the stigmatization against people with the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in the country.
According to him, the fight against NTDs is not an easy task and entreated all stakeholders and policy makers to prioritise the fight by supporting the foundation to help eliminate NTDs in the various communities.
The chief advised families and relatives not to abandon people with NTDs but support them to access the right treatment to recover rather than neglect, discriminate and stigmatise them.
