Ghana achieves target in reducing leprosy

Ankaful (C/R) July 21, GNA- Ghana has been able to eliminate leprosy cases in most parts of the country to 0.39 per 10,000 in line with the World Health Organisation (WHO) elimination target of one per 10,000.

The specialist in-charge of the Ankaful Leprosarium/ General Hospital, Dr Ekow Amankrah-Otabir, stated this on Thursday, when the management of Ghana Telecom, donated food items, including rice, cooking oil and loaves of bread, worth two million cedis and some bales of used clothing to patients at the hospital According to him, the nation, currently has only six districts, namely Bolgatanga, Bole, Nadole, Atebubu, Bongo and Asante-Akyem south, where the disease is endemic, with a prevalence rate of more than one per 10,000.

Dr. Amankrah-Otabir debunked the notion that the disease affected only the poor, and explained that it was an airborne disease, which could affect anyone.

He said the decrease in leprosy cases, at the facility, has enabled it to handle other health delivery cases and expressed gratitude to the management of Ghana Telecom for the gesture. The Central Regional Manager of Ghana Telecom, Mr Joseph Tinagyei, who made the presentation, said it was in line with his company's social responsibility, and assured the hospital of more support.

He commended the staff of the hospital for their dedication, in view of the fact that some leprosy patients, are ostracized by their own families.