Sasakawa Foundation To Continue Support For Guineaworm Eradication

Awutu-Bawjiase (C/R), July 11, - The sponsors of the Sasakawa 'Global 2000' Guineaworm Eradication Programme, have rescinded their decision to withdraw their financial and logistics support According to Dr Francis Grant, a local consultant of the programme, the decision is influenced by the re-emergence of the guineaworm disease in parts of the country where it had been brought unde He said however that the sponsors would withdraw financial and logistics support by the end of next year i f the programme does not achieve its target of eradicating the disease. Dr Grant was addressing 31 facilitators and members of the Awutu- Effutu-Senya District Health Management Team (DHMT) and supervisors of the guineaworm eradication programme at a one-day's review He charged district assemblies in whose areas the di sease is prevalent, to offer active support to the programme to ensure its success. Dr Grant said Ghana, currently with the highest number of guineaworm cases, ranks first in the world. He urged district assemblies to provide affected communities with potable water to prevent the spread of guineaworm and other water-borne diseases. In addition the assemblies should team up with the health management teams and other stakeholders to embark on intensive public education on the prevention of the disease. They should also impress upon the people to adhere strictly to the advice and guide-lines of the supervisors and facilitators of the programme.