The Northern Regional Co-ordinator of the Guinea Worm Eradication Programme (GWEP), Mr Gilbert Dery, has called on district assemblies to support efforts at eradicating the disease by enforc¬ing its bye-Saws on the disease.

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KARAGA : Support eradication of guinea worm-Dr Dery

The Northern Regional Co-ordinator of the Guinea Worm Eradication Programme (GWEP), Mr Gilbert Dery, has called on district assemblies to support efforts at eradicating the disease by enforc¬ing its bye-Saws on the disease.


Date Created : 11/17/2009 10:00:33 AM : Story Author : GhanaDistrict.Com

The Northern Regional Co-ordinator of the Guinea Worm Eradication Programme (GWEP), Mr Gilbert Dery, has called on district assemblies to support efforts at eradicating the disease by enforc¬ing its bye-Saws on the disease.

He appealed to traditional authorities to revive their respective traditional summons to maintain disci¬pline among the rural people as a strategy to eradicate the disease.

Giving an overview of the dis¬ease in the region during an interac¬tion with media practitioners, Mr Dery stated that there was the need to improve on surveillance of the disease to detect all cases before they emerge.

According to him, inadequate funding, lack of potabie water sup¬ply in some communities arid Jam guard maintenance, were some of the challenges facing the programme.

He, however, said there had been a 50 percent reduction in guineaworm cases between January and October,2009 compared with the same period last year.

Last year, a total of 450 cases were recorded as against 235 this year.

Mr Dery mentioned the endemic districts as Gusheigu, Karaga, Savel-ugu-Nanton, Tolon-Kumbungu, Yendi Municipality, East and Central Gonja and Tamale Metropolis.

"We must however ensure that all communities enjoy potable water; this is because guinea worm reduces productivity and keeps children away from school," he stated.

Dr Dery explained that one of the successes chalked up by the programme, included improved inter-sectorial collaboration through Inter-Agency Co-ordinating Committee meetings.

The co-ordinator stated that 48 out of the 49 endemic villages in the countrv were found in the Northern Region.

According to Mr Dcry, Ghana recorded 85 per cent reduction rate in guinea worm between 2007 and 2008.

He said redefined interventions like treatment of large water bodies used by dam guards, varied filters advocacy for safe water use suspect case, forecast list and sporadic follow up on all suspected cases,were put in place to reduce the prevalence of the disease.

Daily Graphic/DS