Cases of malaria reported at health facilities in the Gomoa East District in the last six months have reduced considerably. This was announced at a mid-year review meeting of health facilities at Gomoa Obuasi.
Mr. Samuel Sosi, the District Director of Health Services, said the Buduatta Health Centre recorded 321 cases this year as against 640 recorded in the first half of last year.
Buduburam reported 1,053 cases as against 1,152 recorded 2008, Abaasa had 196 as compared to 398 and Potsin 250 as against 442 recorded in the same period last year. Mr. Sosi attributed the reduction to the support given by Netmark, a non-government organization that trained some volunteers to sensitize the people on the need to patronize the insecticide treated nets (ITNs) and the hard work and determination of the staff of health facilities. He said hitherto, people said they resembled dead bodies when they slept in the net and also claimed that the nets produced heat.
"The acceptance rate is now encouraging," Mr. Sosi said and added that the district and the Central Regional Health Directorate had taken measures to contain the outbreak of schistosomiasis (Bilharzia) reported in Ekwamkrom and its environs. He cautioned the people against bathing in streams and stagnant waters to stop the spread of the disease. Mr Sosi said staff attitude towards clients and the general public had improved considerably since wearing of name tags was introduced about three months ago.
There is still room for improvement, he said and urged them to aim higher. Mr. Atta-Ulla Dason, the District Coordinating Director, said the assembly had initiated some projects for the health directorate and these include nurses' quarters for Obuasi, Community Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound for Dasum and rehabilitation of Potsin and Buduatta facilities.
Mr. Samuel Kudzawu, Executive Director of the Alliance for Battle against Tuberculosis, a non-governmental organization, appealed to the directorate to establish centres at vantage points where diagnosis for TB could be conducted. He said the centres could save suspected patients from going up and down health facilities for diagnosis to be taken. Mr. Kwabena Ennim, a District Parent, appealed to the health facilities to strategize to access funds from organizations, donor agencies and individuals to support their work. District parents are people appointed at the Regional Directorate to be responsible for districts.
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