Weeklong Child health promotion ends in Sekyere West district

Bonkrong (Ash), May 15, GNA - Citizens of Bonkrong in the Sekyere West district of Ashanti on Friday appealed to the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) to improve potable water supply to the area to reduce the high incidence of childhood killer diseases. The women's leader of the community, Madam Rose Atta, who made the appeal on their behalf, said health education campaigns would not make the desired impact if efforts were not made to provide the people with clean water.

She was speaking at a public education forum to climax activities marking this year's Child Health Promotion Week in the district.

Earlier, members of the community, mostly women had embarked on a clean-up exercise lasting two hours as part of activities marking the day.

Madam Rebecca Dokoroga, on her part said the District Director of Health Services, advised parents to ensure that their children sleep under insecticide mosquito treated bed nets. She also talked on the benefits of vitamin 'A' supplemens, immunization against childhood diseases, the need to weigh their children and birth registration of children under one year. According to Madam Dokorogo, the administering of five immunizations before a child is 12 months old would protect it against tuberculosis, poliomyelitis, diphtheria, petussis, tetanus, measles, yellow fever, hepatitis 'B' and haemophilus influenza 'B'. On his part, Mr Anthony Osei-Kwarteng, District Environmental Health Officer, told the people to keep their surroundings clean to avoid the outbreak of cholera and typhoid fever. Essential child health services, including vitamin 'A' supplements, immunization, weighing of children, distribution of child health records and birth registration were provided free of charge an the forum.

The District Health Administration and Sekyere West District Assembly organized the forum jointly under the theme, "Healthy Environment, Healthy Children".