Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are said to affect many of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people, impair physical and cognitive development, and make it difficult for affected individuals to live productive lives.
Out of the 20 Neglected Tropical Diseases identified by the World Health Organization, 14 of them are found in Ghana and this include leprosy, elephantiasis and guinea worm disease.
According to the Deputy Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Anthony Adofo Ofosu, the time has come for the Ghana Health Service to lead in partnering with other organizations to advance the control, elimination and eradication of these diseases in Ghana.
He said “the NTD program and partners in Ghana have been working tirelessly to make great gains in the elimination of these diseases. Suffice to say that the Ghana Health Service needs to maximize a partnership with other government and nongovernmental organizations, civil societies, organization and partners in country, and work together for the advancement of the control and elimination of NTDs.”
He explained that intersectoral collaboration is key to maximizing the resources that are needed for ending the NTDs.
He said the parameters that drive these diseases fall outside the purview and the remits of the health sector.
“So it is by working together that we can maximize the resources that are needed, enhance efficiency, and lead to cross organizational fertilization,” he continued
Dr Adofo Ofosu was speaking at a ceremony held by the Ministry of Health together with the Ghana Health Service on Monday in commemoration of the World NTD Day 2023 under the theme: “Act Now. Act Together. Invest in Neglected Tropical Diseases”.
He indicated that lack of resources had made it difficult to end NTDs in Ghana and thus for the country to win in the controlling, eliminating and eradicating of such diseases there is the need for sustainable financing.
He however notes there is the need for sustainable financing.
“In 2020, 600 million fewer people required intervention against NTD than in 2010. Yet for some time, a lack of resources have been seen as a significant barrier to the control, elimination and eradication of NTDs. This challenge has only been intensified by COVID-19, which has caused severe delays and disruptions to NTD programs as well as massive repurposing and diversion of resources. That is why together and united we will make the case for investment and push for considered action and financing on World NTD 2023.”
Touching on the theme, Dr. Adofo Ofosu indicated that investing in NTDs is one of the viable ways of making society a better place to live in.
To him, investing in NTD programs creates a ripple effect in society, leads to better education, health and employment outcomes, and transform lives and communities.
He said it also helps to reduce gender inequity stigma and preventable mortality and mobility adding that “Ending entities will make our health systems more resilient and our world a more equitable and a safer place for all.”
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Source: Rosemond Asmah/ATLFMNEWS
