DRAC Kicks Off Second Phase: Tackling Skin NTDs in Upper East Region

By Anthony Adongo Apubeo

On May 27, the Development Research and Advocacy Centre (DRAC), an NGO, initiated the second stage of their key healthcare program, titled "IntegratedActions Toward Fighting Against Neglected TropicalSkin Diseases in Ghana," in Bolgatanga.

This new stage expands on the achievements from its first phase, which was carried out between February 2023 and July 2024, spanning five districts: Bongo, Talensi, Nabdam, Builsa South, and Binduri.

The initiative centered on enhancing monitoring, educating healthcare workers, diminishing social prejudice, and setting up a civil society network aimed at combating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) affecting the skin throughout targeted locations in the Upper East Region.

In the upcoming two-year stage funded by the Anesvad Foundation, the initiative will be expanded to cover 40 communities located in Bongo, Talensi, Nabdam, and Binduri. These areas were selected due to their high incidence of disease and susceptibility.

The initiative seeks to transition from focusing solely on outputs to concentrating on outcomes, incorporating baseline and endline surveys along with a comprehensive final evaluation to more effectively gauge the long-term impact.

At the event kickoff, Mr Milton Aberinga, who serves as the Programs Manager for DRAC, highlighted that this project aims to enhance prompt medical care accessibility, address social stigmas and biases, and strengthen economic standing among marginalized people impacted by dermatological neglected tropical diseases.

He mentioned that the initiative will offer vocational instruction in basket weaving and soap production, upgrade water and sanitation facilities by building ten new boreholes, and boost public understanding via media outreach.

"Phase two of the initiative embodies a more comprehensive strategy. Instead of merely addressing superficial issues, we aim to equip communities with the tools they need to assert control over their well-being and self-respect," stated Mr Aberinga at the event.

He mentioned that the initiative aimed at reaching more than 24,000 individuals within the community, with plans for 640 women to undergo vocational training in soap making and basket weaving. These efforts were designed to offer economic support to those impacted by Skin NTDs.

He emphasized the continued dedication of DRAC to collaborate with key organizations like the Ghana Health Service, Department of Social Welfare, and National Health Insurance Scheme for enhancing service integration and ensuring long-term sustainability.

Dr. Braimah Baba Abubakri, the Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service for the Upper East Region, praised DRAC for their long-standing dedication to combating Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) affecting skin health. He emphasized that these ailments remain a significant public health issue, notably in numerous districts throughout the area.

He mentioned that Leprosy and Yaws were the most common Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in the area. He further noted that "between 2020 and 2024, the region identified a total of 137 leprosy cases, with 80% showing severe signs of disability."

This suggests that our community has yet to fully embrace the practice of seeking early medical attention for treatment. During this timeframe, approximately 1190 suspected cases of Yaws were treated within the region.

He was convinced that the initiative could boost public understanding of disease prevention and urged all parties involved to collaborate in order to guarantee the project’s success.

Cutaneous Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) form a category of infections that mainly impact the skin, leading to long-term health issues, disabilities, deformities, and social stigmatization. These conditions predominantly afflict impoverished and marginalized populations in areas with tropical and subtropical climates.

The World Health Organization (WHO) presently acknowledges 20 Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), which form a varied category of infectious illnesses prevalent in tropical and subtropical climates. These conditions impact over a billion individuals, largely those living in impoverished communities.

Among these are Buruli ulcer, Chagas disease, Dengue and other arboviral infections, Dracunculiasis (also known as Guinea-worm disease), Echinococcosis, Foodborne trematodiases, Human African trypanosomiasis (or sleeping sickness), Leishmaniasis, Leprosy, Yaws, and Lymphatic filariasis, along with several others.

GNA

Edited by Fatima Anafu-Astanga / Kenneth Odeng Adade

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