New Guinea Worm infection detected

Nkwanta, April 19, GNA - Inhabitants of Brewaniase and Fankyinikor, pre-dominantly farming communities in the Nkwanta District are apprehensive about the likely resurgence of Guinea Worm infection in their communities. Their apprehension was based on new cases of Guinea worm infection among some inhabitants as a result of the provision of inadequate potable water.

Mr George Saaku-Darke, a Teacher at Ntroboma Senior Secondary School (SSS) who disclosed this at the People's Assembly Session at Nkwanta recently, said about 10 new cases of infection were identified within his community.

He said three boreholes at Brewaniase and one at Fankyinikor, which provided potable water to the community with a population of 8,000 and 5,000 respectively were inadequate thereby, making most of the inhabitants to resort to streams like the Dibem, Dechebo and Kamisobo for domestic use.

Mr Saaku-Dake expressed fear about escalation of the disease among students of Ntroboma SSS who sometimes depended largely on the streams for their domestic activities due to the frequent breakdown of the boreholes.

He therefore, appealed to the Nkwanta District Assembly, the District Health Directorate and NGOs to assist the students and communities by providing them with filters while long-term measures were implemented to salvage the situation.

Mr Adamu Issaka, Nkwanta District Disease Control Surveillance Officer, told the Ghana News Agency that migrant farmers brought the reported cases from northern parts of the country that were incubating the disease before their arrival in the area.

He gave the assurance that the Unit was in control of the situation.

Mr Issaka said the Assembly, Ghana Health Service and World Vision International were negotiating to drill more boreholes especially around Fankyinikor area while efforts were being made to repair broken-down boreholes. 19 April 06