By Emelia B. Addae
Koforidua, April 2, GNA-Hope for Future Generations has enrolled 202 people with skin-related Neglected Tropical Diseases on the National Health Insurance Scheme and linked others to savings groups across seven endemic districts in the Eastern Region.
The support targets patients with elephantiasis, buruli ulcer, scabies and leprosy under a project dubbed “Strengthening Community System to scale-up Community-led response interventions to end Neglected Tropical Diseases (skin-NTDs).”
The initiative is being implemented by Hope for Future Generations (HFFG), a non-governmental organisation, in partnership with Rural Watch, with technical support from the Eastern Regional Health Directorate and funding from the ANESVAD Foundation.
Neglected Tropical Diseases are caused by pathogens including parasites, bacteria, viruses, fungi, and toxins. Prevention depends on improved hygiene, sanitation, access to safe drinking water and healthcare, mass drug administration, and vector control.
Speaking at the project’s Health Committee meeting in Koforidua, Ms Carmen Narh, Project Coordinator, said the project began in March 2025 and would run until March 2027.
She said achievements in 2025 included the procurement of 300 wound dressing kits, with 61 skin-NTD clients receiving the kits.
Ms Narh said 1,137 NTD clients visited health facilities monthly for treatment and wound management, while 174 clients and their families received mental health and psychosocial support.
On livelihood support, she said membership of the Village Savings and Loans Association was opened not only to NTD clients, but also to their family members to empower them financially and ensure sustainability.
She outlined activities for 2026, including intensified awareness creation on NTDs, community engagement to curb stigma and discrimination, and advocacy to decision-makers for increased domestic funding and timely release of funds for NTD programmes.
At the meeting, clients shared success stories, particularly relating to the use of wound dressing kits.
Dr Damien Punguyire, Eastern Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service, commended HFFG and Rural Watch for their community outreach and funding support and urged the public to discard beliefs that skin NTDs are spiritual attacks, stressing that the diseases were treatable and curable with early intervention.
The committee called on stakeholders to support advocacy efforts to eliminate NTDs in Ghana through regular screening and early treatment to prevent permanent disability.
GNA
Edited by D. I. Laary/George-Ramsey Benamba