Ghana adopts strategies to eradicate guinea worm disease by 2013

Nkoranza, (B/A) Nov 4, GNA - The Ghana Health Service is determined to eradicate the guinea worm disease in the country by the year 2013, Mr. Bernard Acheampong, Nkoranza South District Disease Control Officer, has said, at Nkoranza.

Speaking at a capacity building workshop on Guinea Worm Eradication, attended by 32 health workers, Mr. Acheampong said the necessary strategies had been designed towards the achievement of this goal. The strategies include the strengthening of surveillance to create awareness among the people to immediately report the detection of the disease to health officers.

The workshop, organised by the District Directorate of Health Service, was aimed at reminding the participants of their roles and responsibilities in helping to combat epidemics in the communities. Mr. Acheampong stated that even though the district was a non-endemic guinea worm area, "the people should be smart and alert since the disease can be brought into the district by people from endemic communities." He said it was the hope of the Ghana Health Service that all communities in the country would be provided with improved drinking water system to avoid contracting water-borne diseases. Mr. John Yankey, Nkoranza South District Guinea Worm Co-ordinator, called on the participants to educate the people who use water from streams for domestic purposes to boil it before use.

He urged nurses in charge of health facilities to ensure the regular submission of case investigation forms on guinea worm to the district office to ensure accurate data and record on the disease in the district. Madam Alice Vorleto, district public health nurse, called on nurses in charge of the health facilities to arrange for incentives for the community-based surveillance volunteers to boost their morale to save lives. 04 Nov. 09