Abura (W/R), June 5, GNA- Mrs Hagar Boah-Kwofie, a Medical Assistant at the Ahanta West District Health Directorate, on Friday said the continued presence of Bilharzias in the Abura community, is a source of worry to the directorate.

She said although several efforts have been made to treat and eradicate the disease, it is still prevalent especially among school pupils in the area.

Bilharzia is a river borne disease that affects people who drink or bath in infected rivers and cause painful and reddish urine. Mrs Boah-Kwofie who was speaking at a free medical care programme organised by the Sekondi Diocese of the Association of Methodist Men's Fellowship said Bilharzias affects the kidneys and liver and could be fatal if not treated quickly.

She therefore, appealed to the community to discourage children from bathing in streams and rivers in order to avoid the germs that transmit the disease.

Mrs Boah-Kwofie appealed to the community to use only water from boreholes for their daily needs.

Mr. Reynolds Obeng, Diocesan Chairman of the Fellowship said the medical care forms part of the social responsibility of the fellowship to deprived communities.

Nana Kwasi Essuman, Adontenghene of Abura, expressed the appreciation of the chiefs and people to the Fellowship for the outreach medical care.

He said the disease has been with them for the past five years and efforts to reduce its spread among children have failed due to continuous patronage of river Nyani near the community. Two hundred and twenty pupils from the Abura Catholic Primary School benefited from the programme. 5 June 04