The First National Schistosomiasis Control Forum, has been held in Ghana with a call for a well focused and carefully planned integrated approach to finally eliminate the neglected tropical disease.

The forum which brought together more participants, worked on an innovative approach to eliminate Schistosomiasis which affected an estimated 6.6 million school-aged children, and millions of adults nationwide.

In a release issued by Professor Kwabena Mante Bosompem, Chairman of the Bilharzia Control Forum Implementation Committee , stakeholders proffered to help control the menace by promoting the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative Ghana (SCIG), which would harness existing strengths and experiences in schistosomiasis control gained over the years.

It said the Initiative would develop an integrated National Plan for schistosomiasis control and implement intervention activities, through a comprehensive stakeholder approach through to the community level.

“To ensure efficiency and effectiveness, SCIG will take advantage of recent innovation on deeper community involvement that promotes local ownership and sustainability,’ the release noted.

Schistosomiasis, also known as Bilharzia is a devastating disease and major costly public health problem throughout sub-Saharan Africa where children are the most vulnerable.

In Ghana, the disease is widespread occurring in all the 10 regions. The disease burden reduces productivity in adults, compromises child learning abilities, and causes severe irreversible damage to various organs of the body.

The disease, therefore, interferes with Ghana’s attainment of Millennium Development Goals.

The forum agreed to form the Partnership for Integrated Schistosomiasis Control and adopted the framework for the integrated national plan for sustainable schistosomiasis control.**