By Emelia B. Addae
Koforidua, Aug. 29, GNA – Hope for Future Generations (HFFG), a non-governmental organisation, has recorded significant progress in efforts to reduce the burden of skin-related Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in seven endemic districts in the Eastern Region.
The progress was highlighted during the organisation’s quarterly assessment survey covering April, May and June under the Strengthening Community Systems to Scale-Up Community-Led Response Interventions to End Neglected Tropical Diseases Project.
HFFG is implementing the project in partnership with Rural Watch, with technical support from the Eastern Regional Health Directorate and funding from the ANESVAD Foundation.
Ms Carmen Narh, Project Coordinator, said the project was actively educating communities, monitoring field activities and using mass media platforms to raise awareness about NTDs.
She said although implementation was ongoing, the assessment showed strong progress towards achieving project targets, particularly in community engagement and media outreach.
Ms Narh said the interventions were helping to reduce stigma, improve hygiene and sanitation, and increase public understanding of NTDs. Community sensitisation activities had engaged women’s and men’s groups, faith-based organisations, traditional leaders, artisans and other community groups on good hygiene practices and the need to eliminate discrimination against persons affected by NTDs.
Presenting the project’s achievements, she said 117 skin-NTD clients had received wound-dressing kits against a target of 100.
She said the project had also recorded 2,379 visits by NTD clients to health facilities for treatment and wound management, exceeding the monthly target of 2,100 visits.
On enrolment and renewal under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Ms Narh said 268 clients and their family members had either enrolled or renewed their membership against a target of 350.
She noted that the activity was still ongoing and making steady progress towards the target.
The Project Coordinator said 313 persons had also received mental health and psychosocial support, surpassing the target of 200 beneficiaries.
She said the project focused on persons affected by skin-related NTDs, including elephantiasis, buruli ulcer, scabies and leprosy.
According to her, the initiative sought to reduce the incidence and severity of skin-related NTDs while minimising the physical, emotional, social and financial challenges associated with the diseases for affected individuals, their families and the health system.
Ms Narh said persons affected by skin-related NTDs required access to affordable healthcare, improved living environments with adequate water and sanitation facilities, and stronger community support systems to lessen the impact of the diseases on their lives.
She said priority areas for the project included providing financial support to expand successful businesses established by NTD clients who benefited from income-generating activities during the project’s first phase.
The project would also engage decision-makers to advocate increased domestic funding for NTD programmes and the timely release of resources to support implementation, she added.
Ms Narh said continued sensitisation of women’s and men’s groups, faith-based organisations, traditional medicine practitioners, community and traditional leaders, artisan associations and other stakeholders would be undertaken through Social and Behaviour Change Communication activities.
The approach, she noted, would promote good hygiene and sanitation practices while helping to reduce stigma and discrimination against persons affected by NTDs.
Dr Moses Barima Djimatey, Acting Eastern Regional Director of Health, commended HFFG for supporting efforts to curb NTDs in the region.
He appealed to institutions and organisations to support interventions aimed at preventing and controlling NTDs, saying sustained collaboration was needed to reduce the burden of the diseases on affected individuals and communities.
GNA
Edited by D. I. Laary/Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Emelia B. Addae
Email: [email protected]