Ghana to launch Strategic Mass Drug Administration programme

The Neglected Tropical Diseases Programme of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) is to launch a multi-five year Strategic Master and 2014 Mass Drug Administration programme.

A Statement signed by Madam Rebecca Ackwonu, Public Relations Officer for Director-General, GHS, and issued to the Ghana News Agency on Monday said the programme which is developed for implementation through the GHS is scheduled to be launched with the support of all its implementing partners.

“In collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID’s) END in Africa Project, FH1360 and Volta River Authority, the partnership for Child Development, Liverpool Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD), Sight savers Ghana, the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) would help to control and eliminate lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, schisttosomiasis, soil transmitted helminthiasis and trachoma through annual mass drug administration” the statement said.

It said in support of the global programme, the day would also be used to celebrate the global achievement of one-billionth-treatment with USAID support. The statement said a formal launch of activities will be held on July 3rd 2014, at the Labadi Beach Hotel, Accra.

“In attendance will be Miss Sherry Ayitey, out-going Minister of Health, Dr Joyce Aryee and the National NTD Advocate and the United States Ambassador to Ghana,” the statement added.