The Ghana Health Service (GHS) will launch a nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign from June 20 to July 3, 2026. This campaign will provide free medication to nearly 8 million people.
The initiative targets three neglected tropical diseases (NTDs): onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness; lymphatic filariasis, or elephantiasis; and schistosomiasis, commonly called bilharzia. These diseases primarily affect poor and underserved communities. The campaign aims to protect communities from these debilitating conditions and is a crucial part of Ghana's strategy to eliminate NTDs as a public health threat by 2030.
This mass treatment effort is vital for public health and has significant economic implications. NTDs can cause severe disability, chronic illness, and social stigma. This impacts productivity and increases healthcare burdens, especially in rural areas where these diseases are most prevalent. Achieving the 2030 elimination target would free up substantial healthcare resources. It would also improve economic participation for millions who might otherwise suffer from long-term health issues.
Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, Director General of GHS, stated that the campaign builds on Ghana's sustained gains in disease control. He emphasized that Mass Drug Administration is one of the most effective ways to control and eliminate NTDs. The medicines are recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and are safe and effective. They are essential in protecting communities.
The campaign will cover 86 districts in 15 regions for onchocerciasis. About 266,000 people in two districts will receive treatment for elephantiasis. Community deworming for schistosomiasis will occur in 13 districts across eight regions. All eligible persons in targeted communities, except children under five years, pregnant women, and individuals with severe reactions, should participate. The NTD Programme Manager, Dr. Joseph Larbi Opare, confirmed Ghana's remarkable progress towards the WHO 2030 elimination targets.
Ghana has already eliminated several NTDs. The country was certified free of guinea worm disease in 2015. It eliminated trachoma as a public health problem in 2018. Human African trypanosomiasis, or sleeping sickness, was eliminated in 2023. These successes show Ghana's capacity to achieve its 2030 goals. The ongoing campaign aims to build on this strong foundation.
Despite this progress, securing funding remains a concern. Mr. Solomon Ananya, NTD Project Manager for World Vision Ghana, expressed worry over declining donor support. He urged for increased domestic financing to sustain elimination efforts. He noted that the funding landscape is changing. Mobilizing resources for NTD programmes is becoming harder. He appealed to the Government to increase its investment in fighting these diseases.
Efforts are underway to create a National NTD Fund. This fund aims to gather resources from government institutions, private companies, banks, and telecommunications firms. This will be achieved through their corporate social responsibility initiatives. This fund is expected to bridge financing gaps. It will help maintain Ghana's progress towards eliminating neglected tropical diseases. Increased domestic funding is crucial to ensure these public health goals are met, supporting economic stability and productivity.