Ashanti Regional Health Directorate Marks World NTDs Day, Appeals for Strong Public and Stakeholder Support
The Ashanti Regional Health Directorate of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) on Thursday, January 30, 2026, marked World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Day with a media launch aimed at intensifying efforts towards the elimination and control of NTDs across the region.
The event formed part of global activities to mobilise resources, strengthen political commitment, and promote community-led actions in line with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2030 Roadmap targets for Neglected Tropical Diseases.
Observed under the theme “Unite, Act and Eliminate,” the celebration sought to underscore the urgent need to scale up interventions, increase funding, and tackle the stigma associated with NTDs, which continue to affect more than 1.6 billion people worldwide, particularly in marginalized communities.
Addressing the media, officials of the Directorate highlighted that NTDs are not only a health challenge but also a measure of inequality. These diseases thrive in areas where access to clean water, sanitation, education, and basic healthcare services is limited, depriving children of learning opportunities, adults of productivity, and communities of dignity and development.
According to the WHO, there are 24 recognised Neglected Tropical Diseases globally, including Leishmaniasis, Yaws, Scabies, Dengue, Chagas disease, foodborne trematode infections, Mycetoma, Snakebite envenoming, and Noma, among others.
As part of ongoing interventions, the Ashanti Regional Health Directorate has commenced a Mass Drug Administration (MDA) exercise using ivermectin in nine districts across the region. These districts include Ahafo Ano North, Atwima Mponua, Ejura-Sekyere-Dumasi, Asante Mampong, Offinso North, Sekyere Afram Plains, Sekyere Central, Sekyere East, and Sekyere Kumawu.
Speaking at the event, the Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Boateng, stressed that awareness creation remains a top priority, particularly in addressing the social stigma linked to NTDs.
“Our main objective is to create awareness about Neglected Tropical Diseases in order to reduce stigmatisation against people living with these conditions, while mobilising high-level stakeholder commitment towards their elimination and control through sustainable means,” he stated.
Dr. Boateng further revealed that out of the 24 recognised NTDs globally, 14 are present in Ghana and are being managed through dedicated national programmes.
“While most of these diseases may not necessarily lead to death, they make life extremely difficult for affected persons. They cause social stigma, disfigurement, and disability, which significantly impact livelihoods and social inclusion,” he added.
He therefore called on government officials, policymakers, health workers, development partners, traditional authorities, and the general public to actively support the fight against NTDs through financial contributions, participation in intervention programmes, and sustained community sensitisation.
The Ashanti Regional Health Directorate reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with partners and communities to ensure a future free from Neglected Tropical Diseases in the region.
