Key stakeholders are taking pragmatic steps to reduce the spread of hepatitis B infections among residents of the Efutu Municipality of the Central Region.
The area has since 2019 witnessed a continuous rise in Hepatitis B cases and most worryingly amongst pregnant women and babies.
Available records show that the spread has been consistent in recent years as new cases continue to be recorded.
A recent research sponsored by the Member of Parliament for the area Alexander Afenyo Markin proved that a total of 68 pregnant women tested positive to the virus, 148 children were also found with the virus and 189 amongst the youthful population also tested positive out of a total of 2106 residents that were screened.
The health situations of some of the patients were very dire. Subsequent tests carried out have also proven that the spread of the virus keeps increasing.
The Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital and the Winneba Municipal Hospital continue to treat cases of hepatitis B infections.
At the Trauma and Specialist Hospital, an isolation center had even been created to cater for persons with high viral loads of the disease.
However, medical officers are worried about the high cost of treatment which sometimes impedes the treatment process, and are suggesting that the National Health Insurance Scheme to include the treatment cost of the disease in benefit packages.
The Municipal Health Directorate considers the situation as a major health risk to dwellers and has began to put measures in place to intensify education and awareness creation amongst rural communities in Winneba and its environs.
Also, pragmatic steps are being taken to improve testing, vaccination, and treatment as the member of parliament for the area Alex Afenyo Markin has instituted the Hepa Guard Project.
The project worth GHC 1 million is to ensure that every resident within the municipality is tested and vaccinated against the disease.
The project will also cater for the treatment cost of persons who test positive to the virus.
Launching the project on the MP’s behalf the MCE for Winneba, Kasim Zubeiru announced that the municipal assembly will work harder to ensure that the area becomes hepatitis B-free through a sustained campaign.
By: Akwasi Addo | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
