Dr Erasmus Agongo, Upper East Regional Director of health services, noted that the effects of onchocerciasis or river blindness and elephantiasis drugs were scaring people in the region from taking the medication.

Speaking in an interview with the GNA in Bolgatanga, he mentioned that patients, who took the drugs complained of severe itching, headache and stomach upset, while others had parts of their body swollen.

Dr Agongo said a research conducted shows that the diseases, which are widespread in the region are serious health hazards.

He explained: "river blindness which is spread through the bite of the blackfly causes blindness in its victims, while elephantiasis spread by a mosquito, causes water retention in any part of the body, but most often, the lower limbs, thus making those parts to swell."

Dr Agongo mentioned that the drugs, which also treated intestinal worm infection were very effective and that only those who already have the germs get the reactions.

He said the drugs which are distributed free of charge are expected to be taken once a year for the next five years in order to give life long protection.

"If distribution covers majority of the people in the five-year period, we will not be having these diseases here anymore," Dr Agongo noted.

He said the medication, which were first given to people in the Kassena-Nankana and Builsa districts on pilot basis proved effective.

Dr Agongo announced that the Bolgatanga and Bongo districts were being covered while plans are underway to include Bawku East and Bawku West areas.

The drugs, ivermectin and celbendazole, taken once a year, protect those exposed to river blindness and elephantiasis from getting infected.

They also prevent those who are infected from getting the full-blown diseases and arrest the progress of infection in those who have started showing symptoms of the diseases.