The Ghana Health Service (GHS) says it is doing everything possible to supply the Wassa East District Directorate with enough Ivermectin to control the outbreak of Onchocerciasis that has hit the district.
Ivermectin is medication which is used in the treatment of Onchocerciasis and is taken every six to twelve months.
This communiqué from the GHS, follows an SOS message sent to the Ministry of Health by the Wassa East District directorate, to supply more drugs to treat people infected with the “black fly” disease.
The Head of the Disease Surveillance Department of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Badu Sarkodie, in an interview with Citi News said that although the outbreak was proving to be a nuisance to residents, transmission of Onchoceciasis was not the major problem of the service as a result of the distribution of Ivermectin to affected areas over the years.
The blackfly which causes Onchocerciasis is prevalent in communities along the Pra River.
Areas that have been affected include Sekyere Hemang, Abrodzewom, Sekyere Krobo, Obuasi, and Nsuta.
Dr. Badu Sarkodie added that the distribution of the Ivermectin medication for the year was about to commence and that steps are being taken to ensure that the health of residents is assured.
By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana