Atwima records 300 Buruli Ulcer cases in eight months

Nkawie (Ash), Sept 10, GNA- The Atwima District recorded 300 Buruli Ulcer cases from January to August this year, Mrs Beatrice Appah, the District Director of Health Services, said on Tuesday. She said last year the district recorded 260 cases.

Speaking at the opening of a four-day workshop on Buruli Ulcer for middle level health workers in the district, Mrs Appah said the increase in Buruli Ulcer cases puts the district among the most endemic areas in the region.

She said since the treatment of the disease is free the district hospital is using its own resources to treat the patients free of charge.

Mrs Appah appealed to the Ministry of Health to build a separate dressing department at the hospital for buruli ulcer patients to avoid embarrassment to other patients who share the same dressing room. She advised the health workers to show love and affection towards the afflicted.

Dr Edwin Ampadu, National Co-ordinator for Buruli Ulcer, said the government spends about 780 dollars every three months on one buruli ulcer patient.

He appealed to district assemblies with the disease to assist their district health directorate to fight it.

Dr Ampadu asked the district health offices to make judicious use of funds released to them for the treatment of patients and advised opinion leaders and health workers to educate the people on the importance of early detection and treatment.