Gomoa Obuasi, Aug. 10, GNA - Cases of malaria reported at health

facilities in the Gomoa East District in the last six months have reduced

considerably. This was announced at a mid-year review meeting of health facilities at

Gomoa Obuasi. Mr. Samuel Sosi, the District Director of Health Services, said the

Buduatta Health Centre recorded 321 cases this year as against 640

recorded in the first half of last year. Buduburam reported 1,053 cases as against 1,152 recorded 2008,

Abaasa had 196 as compared to 398 and Potsin 250 as against 442

recorded in the same period last year. Mr. Sosi attributed the reduction to the support given by Netmark, a

non-government organization that trained some volunteers to sensitize the

people on the need to patronize the insecticide treated nets (ITNs) and the

hard work and determination of the staff of health facilities. He said hitherto, people said they resembled dead bodies when they

slept in the net and also claimed that the nets produced heat. "The acceptance rate is now encouraging," Mr. Sosi said and added

that the district and the Central Regional Health Directorate had taken

measures to contain the outbreak of schistosomiasis (Bilharzia) reported in Ekwamkrom and its environs. He cautioned the people against bathing in streams and stagnant waters

to stop the spread of the disease. Mr Sosi said staff attitude towards clients and the general public had

improved considerably since wearing of name tags was introduced about

three months ago. There is still room for improvement, he said and urged them to aim

higher. Mr. Atta-Ulla Dason, the District Coordinating Director, said the

assembly had initiated some projects for the health directorate and these

include nurses' quarters for Obuasi, Community Health Planning and

Services (CHPS) compound for Dasum and rehabilitation of Potsin and

Buduatta facilities. Mr. Samuel Kudzawu, Executive Director of the Alliance for Battle

against Tuberculosis, a non-governmental organization, appealed to the

directorate to establish centres at vantage points where diagnosis for TB

could be conducted. He said the centres could save suspected patients from going up and

down health facilities for diagnosis to be taken. Mr. Kwabena Ennim, a District Parent, appealed to the health facilities

to strategize to access funds from organizations, donor agencies and

individuals to support their work. District parents are people appointed at the Regional Directorate to be

responsible for districts.