Juaso (Ash), Feb 26, GNA- The Asante-Akim South district last year recorded 22 new cases of leprosy, a figure described by the health authorities as "very disturbing".
Previously, the area was between one and two cases of the disease annually.
Dr Kwasi Yeboah-Awudzi, the District Director of Health Services, who made this known, said the high figure was an indication that there was still high prevalence of leprosy in Ashanti and the country at large but were not being diagnosed in the clinics.
He was addressing the district's second annual stakeholders health review meeting at Juaso on Wednesday.
Dr Yeboah-Awudzi said for Ghana's Leprosy Elimination Programme to be effective, it was important to embark on what he termed "active case search" of patients in the communities.
He called on public health managers to provide training on the disease for health staff and encourage the "active case search". The District Health Director noted that most leprosy cases come in the form of skin patches and so people simply tend to overlook or attempt to treat with creams on the market.
He asked people who notice changes in part of their skin colour or feel numb in parts of the body to report to the health facilities for proper medical evaluation and avoid self-medication with creams. He pointed out that early detection and treatment could help prevent deformities.
Dr Yeboah-Awudzi also expressed worry about the steep rise in the number of HIV/AIDS cases in the district. From an annual average of about 25 cases, it shot up to 48 cases last year.
He said it has therefore become necessary to ensure that Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) was made available in all the districts. "As people test and they are negative, they will be more confident in protecting themselves", he added.
Dr Lord Justice Gyamfi-Fenteng, the District Chief Executive said the area was ready for the take off of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
He said people in all the 89 communities have started registering and paying their insurance premium, adding, "The response has been overwhelming".
Seven health staff and 20 community-based health volunteers were honoured for their tremendous contribution towards health delivery in the district.
They received gas cookers, cash prizes and Wellington boots as their awards.
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