Takoradi, July 22, GNA - In a bid to achieve the Millennium Development Goal in Health related issues the John Hopkins Centre for Communication Programs (JHU/CCP) has partnered the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to embark on educational drive on health issues in deprived areas to create the awareness on the need to observe environmental and personal hygiene.

The pilot project which begins in the Western Region dubbed "Behaviour Change Support" (BCS) is a four-year programme supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Mr Joe Adusei, the BCS Western Regional Coordinator, said when he launched the project in Takoradi.

He said the project is managed by the JHU/CCP with Care and Plan International in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

It aims at achieving health related millennium development goals through sustained and coherent social and behaviour change communication interventions.

Mr Adusei mentioned communities in the Sefwi-Wiawso, Sefwi-Akontombra, Wassa Mpohor, Shama, Tarkwa Nsuaem, and Prestea-Huni-Valley districts as well as Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis as those that would benefit from the pilot programme taking the form of drama and education.

The programme would be extended to communities in the Greater-Accra and Central regions.

Targeted health areas of the programme are maternal, neonatal/child health, family planning, malaria prevention and treatment, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene.

Dr Kwaku Karikari, Western Regional Director of Health Services in charge of Public Health, commended USAID for the support saying that logistical constraints prevented the sector from embarking on intensive programmes.