Tepa (Ash), Feb 22, GNA - Malaria cases in the Ahafo-Ano North District reduced with 10,207 cases last year as against 10,935 recorded in 2002.

Nana Adu-Bobi, District Disease Control Officer, who announced this, attributed the reduction to the sale of one million impregnated mosquito nets to the people.

Speaking at the presentation of the district health service 2003 report at a forum at Tepa on Friday, Nana Adu-Bobi said the District recorded 145 Buruli Ulcer cases from 15 out of the 22 communities in the Manfo sub-district.

He said out of the reported cases, 27 patients whose cases were serious were treated at the District Hospital at Tepa while 75 out of the 104 nodules were removed from other patients.

Dr Kofi Mensah Nyarko, Medical Superintendent, disclosed that the District recorded 57 HIV/AIDS cases.

He said to help reduce the spread of the disease, virgin and abstinence clubs had been formed in schools to undertake peer counselling while the Association of People Living With AIDS was meeting periodically to receive counselling and some assistance. Dr Nyarko announced that an HIV/AIDS counselling centre and a hypertension and diabetes clinic had been established at the Tepa Hospital to offer counselling services and assistance to affected patients.

He appealed to the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service to review the list of essential drugs provided at the hospital to meet the challenges of current health delivery. Mrs Elizabeth Danso Adentwi, District Director of Health Services, praised health personnel for their dedication to duty, especially those working in the very difficult areas.

She mentioned inadequate professional personnel, residential accommodation for staff, late release of funds, inadequate funds as well as lack of sufficient motorbikes as some of the constraints and appealed to the District Assembly and the Ghana Health Service for assistance. Mr Vincent Amissah, District Co-ordinating Director, praised the personnel for their tolerance and patience and assured them of the co-operation of the Assembly.