Buruli Ulcer cases decline in Nkoranza

Mr Charles Kwasi Gyamfi, Nkoranza South Municipal Disease Control Officer has commended Medical Assistance Programme (MAP) International, a United States Non-Governmental Health Project for assisting to control the outbreak of Buruli Ulcer in Nkoranza.

The disease was detected in the Municipality in 2006 when it affected the people of Asuano, Ayerede, Jerusalem, Kwafre, Donkro-Nkwanta, Ahyiayem and Akuma.

Mr Gyamfi told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Nkoranza that following the intervention and support from MAP International, cases from the communities had reduced tremendously.

He said in 2006 about 25 cases were reported from the communities but in 2012 only eight cases were reported and that, all the affected persons had been healed.

Mr Gyamfi said between 2006 and 2012 about 88 cases of the disease were recorded from the communities, and no patient died during the six-year period.

He explained that the timely intervention by MAP International offered the necessary logistical, financial and technical support to control the disease in the communities.

Mr Gyamfi said MAP International provided a motorbike for the field officers to visit the communities to undertake surveillance for early attention.

MAP International also provided the Nkoranza South Municipal Health Directorate with a laptop and a projector to organise workshops for stakeholders in the Municipality.

Community-Based Surveillance Volunteers (CBSVs) were offered training on the symptoms of the disease for early detection and report for immediate attention.

In addition, MAP International provided some grater machines and equipment, as well as medical dressing materials to the surgical ward of the Nkoranza Saint Theresa’s Catholic Hospital to support the treatment of Buruli Ulcer cases.