The Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Health Directorate in the Western Region is set to commence a twelve-day Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign against onchocerciasis, commonly known as river blindness, starting from January 29 to February 12, 2024. This initiative, covering eight districts, aligns with the Ghana Health Service's (GHS) objective to eliminate the disease from the municipality by 2030.
Ms. Wilhelmina Tiwaah Duah, the Municipal Director of Health Services, briefed journalists in Tarkwa, outlining the scope and importance of the MDA. She emphasized that pregnant women, recently delivered mothers, severely ill individuals, and those under 90cm in height would be exempted from the exercise.
Ms. Duah stressed the significance of community-wide participation to disrupt the transmission cycle and ultimately eradicate river blindness. She urged community members to cooperate with trained volunteers and promptly report any adverse reactions to the nearest health facility.
Elaborating on the program, Ms. Duah highlighted the endemic nature of river blindness in communities with fast-flowing rivers or streams, urging residents to embrace the MDA initiative. She emphasized the importance of following dosage guidelines based on height measurements provided by volunteers.
River blindness, if left untreated, can lead to severe consequences including painful itching, skin disorders, eye lesions, and permanent blindness, Ms. Duah cautioned. She underscored the preventive benefits of participating in the MDA campaign, urging individuals to seize the opportunity to safeguard their health and that of their communities.
Assuring the public of the safety and cost-free nature of the treatment, Ms. Duah emphasized the importance of active participation in the campaign. She urged residents to welcome GHS volunteers and adhere to medication instructions diligently, stressing the collective responsibility in protecting against river blindness.
