General News of Friday, 27 July 2007

Source: GNA

MP urges govt to avert rapid spread of guineaworm

Accra, July 27, GNA - Hajia Mary Salifu Boforo, Member of Parliament for Savelugu has called on the Government to take immediate steps to eradicate the guineaworm disease in the Savelugu/Nanton District of the Northern Region.

She said the disease had become so endemic in the area that if urgent measures were not taken to curb its spread, the whole population would be infected and would affect economic activities leading to poverty.

Hajia Boforo made the appeal when she briefed newsmen in Parliament on the thre tening health condition of the people in Savelugu/Nanton District. The MP noted that even though organizations such as the World Vision, UNICEF and other non-governmental organizations were playing their part in the provision of potable water in the area it was just not enough to arrest the problem. "I wish to congratulate World Vision, UNICEF, and the other groups in the area that are providing potable water for the people," she said. Hajia Boforo appealed to the government to expedite work on the Tamale Water Project, for the benefit of the people in the district. She urged the people to boil and sieve their water before using it. 27 July 07