Addressing NTDs in the Eastern Region of Ghana
- Ghana Country
- 179.000 € Investment
- 2023-25 Length
The Challenge
Ghana is endemic for several NTDs and about half of the population lives in rural, impoverished and isolated areas that are conducive to their proliferation.
The Ghanaian government, through the Ghana Health Service, has a national plan to address these diseases. However, these activities need to be complemented by civil society initiatives that reinforce the work of the government.
The solution
Together with organizations such as Ark Development Organization, Youth AID Initiative Ghana and 4-H Ghana, we are implementing actions in the Eastern Region of the countrythat will ensure early case detection, early treatment and adherence to treatment for skin-NTDs so that infections do not lead or contribute to disability. These interventions will also include:
- Physiotherapy and psychosocial support to infected persons and their caregivers to enhance response to treatment.
- Stigma reduction through awareness raising, correction of myths and misconceptions surrounding skin-NTDs in endemic communities.
- Economic reintegration for people affected by skin-NTDs in the project communities through skills training and enrolment into income generating activities.
- Capacity building for women in the health sector and further advocate for the modification of community level gender inequalities.
- Personal hygiene and clean environment campaigns, and advocacy for improvements in access to potable water and sanitation facilities.
Impact
By the end of the project we expect to have reduced the incidence of NTDs in the Eastern Region of Ghana.
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