Buruli Ulcer campaign begins in Dormaa

The Disease Control Unit of the Dormaa Central Municipal Directorate of the Ghana Health Service has embarked on an education campaign in selected communities to facilitate the early detection of Buruli Ulcer cases for redress.

The campaign, which is being organised in conjunction with the Municipal Directorate of the National Commission on Civic Education and sponsored by Map International and Rotary International, has become necessary as the municipality began to record cases since 2010.

Available records show that 29 suspected cases were detected in 2010 out of which 26 were confirmed by the Noguchi Memorial Institute of Medical Research of the University of Ghana, Legon.

In 2011, 49 cases were detected and 47 cases detected in 2012.

The campaign has been designed to expose people to the signs and symptoms of the disease and to encourage them to report suspected cases to the nearest health facility.

Mr Maxwell Damoah, Dormaa Municipal Disease Control Officer, addressing the chiefs and people at Yaakrom in the newly-created Dormaa West District, said there was no known cause of the disease, therefore, there was the need for the people to take environmental hygiene seriously.

He said the disease would begin with micro bacteria hidden in the environment that could not be detected making it dangerous and a matter of concern.

Mr Damoah urged the people to report any boil and long-lasting sores to the nearest health facility for treatment.

Nana Agyemang Kwadwo Nyamekye, Odikro of Yaakrom, expressed gratitude to the team and called on the people to be vigilant to report any signs on their bodies to the health facility.

Mr Francis Kwadwo Oppong, Assembly-member of the area, urged the people to take the campaign message seriously.