Cases of malaria reduced in Gomoa East

Gomoa Obuasi, Aug. 10, GNA - Cases of malaria reported at health

facilities in the Gomoa East District in the last six months have reduced


considerably. This was announced at a mid-year review meeting of health facilities at


Gomoa Obuasi. Mr. Samuel Sosi, the District Director of Health Services, said the


Buduatta Health Centre recorded 321 cases this year as against 640


recorded in the first half of last year. Buduburam reported 1,053 cases as against 1,152 recorded 2008,


Abaasa had 196 as compared to 398 and Potsin 250 as against 442

recorded in the same period last year. Mr. Sosi attributed the reduction to the support given by Netmark, a


non-government organization that trained some volunteers to sensitize the


people on the need to patronize the insecticide treated nets (ITNs) and the


hard work and determination of the staff of health facilities. He said hitherto, people said they resembled dead bodies when they


slept in the net and also claimed that the nets produced heat. "The acceptance rate is now encouraging," Mr. Sosi said and added


that the district and the Central Regional Health Directorate had taken

measures to contain the outbreak of schistosomiasis (Bilharzia) reported in Ekwamkrom and its environs. He cautioned the people against bathing in streams and stagnant waters


to stop the spread of the disease. Mr Sosi said staff attitude towards clients and the general public had


improved considerably since wearing of name tags was introduced about


three months ago. There is still room for improvement, he said and urged them to aim


higher. Mr. Atta-Ulla Dason, the District Coordinating Director, said the


assembly had initiated some projects for the health directorate and these

include nurses' quarters for Obuasi, Community Health Planning and


Services (CHPS) compound for Dasum and rehabilitation of Potsin and


Buduatta facilities. Mr. Samuel Kudzawu, Executive Director of the Alliance for Battle


against Tuberculosis, a non-governmental organization, appealed to the


directorate to establish centres at vantage points where diagnosis for TB


could be conducted. He said the centres could save suspected patients from going up and

down health facilities for diagnosis to be taken. Mr. Kwabena Ennim, a District Parent, appealed to the health facilities


to strategize to access funds from organizations, donor agencies and


individuals to support their work. District parents are people appointed at the Regional Directorate to be


responsible for districts.