Ahanta West suffers rise in elephantiasis, anaemia cases

Asemasa (W/R), Nov. 25, GNA - Elephantiasis, anaemia and malaria are said to be alarming in five communities in the Ahanta West District of the Western Region.

Madam Hannah Appah, Health Extension Officer in charge of the Asemasa Health Post, who described the situation as "alarming", noted that the rise in cases was having adverse effect on the socio-economic life of the people.

She told the Ghana News Agency on Monday that the communities under threat are Asemasa, Kantankrom, Ampatanor, Asamkor and Aketekyie, places where inhabitants are predominantly food crop farmers and fisher folks. Madam Hannah Appah, therefore, appealed to Non Governmental Organisations operating in the area, to support efforts to reduce the prevalence of the cases in order to alleviate the plight of the people. She said another major problem in the area was the incidence of teenage pregnancy that had resulted in many school drop-outs. Some of the victims, she noted were in primary schools and as young as 13 years of age.

Madam Appah also appealed to parents to monitor the movement of their children especially the girl-child and encouraged them to concentrate on their studies.

She said health workers also needed to be motivated, especially those who accepted to work in deprived communities. In addition, Madam Appah called for the supply of basic health equipment and logistics to enable Health centres to provide efficient healthcare delivery.