Sunyani West reaches out to 80,293 people against filariasis

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Sunyani West reaches out to 80,293 people against filariasis

Lymphatic filiariasis remains huge health burden in the Sunyani West District of the Brong-Ahafo Region.

Last year, blood samples picked and screened show the parasite is highly detected in communities such as Abronye, Bofourkorm, Kantro, Kwatire, Mantukwa and Dumasua.

According to Ms Benedicta Oppong Fremah, the Sunyani West District Disease Control Officer, about 4.1 percent of the blood samples picked were infected with parasites.

To that effect, last year the Directorate intensified mass administration of drugs against lymphatic filiariasis and reached out to 80,293 people, about 83 percent coverage.

That notwithstanding, the directorate achieved 112 percent in the yellow fever vaccination campaign and 100.6 percent measles-rubella vaccination.

It also suspected 13 cases of yellow fever and about nine cases of measles but, all were tested negative.

Speaking at the 2018 annual performance review meeting of the Directorate held at Odumase on Thursday, Mr Richard Kwasi Henneh, the District Director of Health, said malaria testing rate, early initiation of breast milk, and vitamin "A" supplementation performances improved as well.

Nevertheless, there was sharp drop in skilled delivery, family planning acceptor rate, Out Patient Department (OPD) attendant cases among others.

Mr Henneh commended staff of the Directorate and all health workers in the district from their hard work which contributed to the successs and advised them to do more to improve on the 2019 performance.

He mentioned staff unwillingness to accept postings to rural areas, weak and over-aged vehicles inadequate staff and erratic reimbursement of NHIS debts to facilities as well as inadequate office and resident accommodation as the major challenges which needed to be addressed to improve on Healthcare.

For 2019, Mr Henneh said the directorate would intensify routine activities especially delivery and family planning, saying more was expected from the health workers because the district had been selected as the control site for malaria vaccine.

In a speech read of him, Dr Kofi Isiah, the Brong-Ahafo Regional Director of Health, said though the directorate made progress in many of its health indicators last year, the system still faced several challenges which required multi-sectoral approach and strong partnership with all stakeholders.

Source: K. Peprah