|
Experts Caution on Proper Skin Care to
avoid Leprosy
Accra, Jan. 9, GNA – Though experts say Ghana is at the
point of eliminating leprosy, 610 new cases were detected
last year bringing the total number to 734 throughout the
country.
The prevalence rate of the disease stands at 0.36 per 10,000
of the total Ghanaian population. The Greater Accra Region
has the least registered cases of 40, with the and Upper
East and the Northern Regions recording the highest of 98
and 94 cases, respectively, as at October 2006.
Dr Ekow Amankrah Otabil, National Programme Manager for
Leprosy Elimination Programme, announced these when he took
his turn at the Ghana Health Service’s Monthly Health
Promotion Talk in Accra on: “Leprosy”.
He said though at the national level, Ghana had achieved the
global elimination target of less than 1.0 per 10,000 of the
population, “there was more work to be done at the
sub-district level”.
He noted that nationally, the target was to record less than
1.0 per 10,000 of the population by the year 2000 “but we
were able to achieve this in 1998 and we have set for
ourselves to attain that target at the sub-district level by
2009”.
He listed Asante Akim South; Bongo; Bolgatanga; Sene; Lawra;
Nadowli; Wa Central; Bole and Twifu Heman Lower Denkyira as
the nine endemic districts with prevalence of more than one
per 10,000 of the population and called for more efforts to
achieve the elimination at the lowest level.
Dr Otabil explained that leprosy was a chronic infectious
disease caused by mycobacterium leprae, which mainly
affected the skin and peripheral nerves. It also caused
considerable disability and deformity.
Leprosy develops as a normal skin rash, which does not itch
and does not pain. At its early stages, symptoms include
frequent yawning; husky voice; blood in sneeze; loss of eye
brows and deformed claws.
Dr Otabil also admonished the public to be circumspect and
careful in the midst of people since the disease was spread
through sneezing and not the physical contact with patients
suffering from leprosy.
He also cautioned that with the symptoms, it takes 25 years
to 30 years before one gets to the advanced stage of
disability and deformity, “and that makes it more serious”,
he said.
He noted that leprosy was curable and treatment was free and
urged the public to report any unusual skin rash for
immediate treatment, adding, “Multi Drug Therapy (MDT)
effectively reduces the period of transmission. The maximum
treatment is twelve months and minimum six months”.
Dr Sam Adjei, Deputy Director-General of GHS, who chaired,
urged families to welcome back to their homes relatives, who
had been cured of their leprosy and not to abandon them in
the hospitals.
GNA
|
