Nkawie (Ash), Sept. 30, GNA - The authorities at the Nkawie-Toase Government Hospital have threatened not to treat Buruli Ulcer patients due to the refusal of the Atwima District Assembly to build a special block for patients suffering from the disease.

Dr Peter Clement Awuah, Medical Superintendent of the Hospital, who stated this, explained that due to the nature of the sores of the patients they felt reluctant to mingle with the other patients at the hospital.

It was on the realisation of this that he said the hospital asked the District Assembly to construct a separate block for Buruli Ulcer patients so that thy could have the privacy they wanted.

Dr Awuah was speaking at the inauguration of the Hospital, which had been designated as "Baby Friendly" at Nkawie on Monday.

He said for the first half of this year a total of 147 Buruli Ulcer cases were reported at the facility, pointing out that with the increase in the reported cases in the district, there was the need for the Assembly to build a theatre and wards for the patients. Dr Awuah commended the Ghana Health Service (GHS) for designating the hospital as Baby Friendly and gave the assurance that the Hospital would live up to its status.

Mrs Hanna Ofori, Senior Public Health Nurse, who deputised for the District Director of Health Services enumerated the advantage of breast-feeding and said it protected the babies against diarrhoea. She said breastfeeding also reduce the risk of breast and ovarian problems in mothers.

Mrs Afua Appia, a Nutritionist at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi advised mothers to breastfeed their babies immediately after delivery and continue until they attain two years.