The Eastern Regional Health Directorate of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) is set to begin the first round of the 2026 Mass Drug Administration (MDA) exercise June 20,2026 to protect communities at risk of Onchocerciasis, commonly known as River Blindness.
The exercise forms part of Ghana’s national strategy to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), which continue to affect vulnerable populations, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
“Eastern Region is endemic to NTDs such as onchocerciasis (river blindness), leprosy, yaws, Elephantiasis, Schistosomiasis, Soil transmitted helminthiasis, Buruli ulcer, rabies, Scabies” according to the GHS.
Addressing the media on Monday June 15, 2026, the Director of Public Health, Dr. Moses Barimah Djimatey explained that a total of 168,467 people are considered at risk of contracting Onchocerciasis in the Eastern Region, with 134,774 eligible individuals targeted to receive treatment during this year’s campaign.
The mass drug administration exercise will be carried out in four districts – Kwahu East, Kwahu Afram Plains North, Kwahu Afram Plains South, and Ayensuano – covering 19 sub-districts.
Onchocerciasis is caused by the parasitic worm Onchocerca volvulus and transmitted through the bite of infected blackflies that breed around fast-flowing rivers. The disease can cause severe itching, skin changes, visual impairment and, in advanced cases, irreversible blindness.
Health officials say mass administration of Ivermectin tablets remains the most effective intervention for interrupting transmission, reducing infection levels, preventing disability and supporting Ghana’s elimination targets.
The drugs will be distributed by trained Community-based Drug Distributors (CDDs) using height-based dosage guidelines and accompanied by public education and community mobilization activities.
However, some groups will not be eligible to take part in the exercise, including pregnant women, children under 90 centimetres in height, mothers breastfeeding babies less than one week old, and persons who are seriously ill.
The Directorate also advised beneficiaries to avoid alcohol consumption within 24 hours before and after taking the medication and encouraged residents to promptly report any adverse reactions to health workers or the nearest health facility.
“Alcohol not to be taken before or after taking the medicines (± 24hrs).Report any adverse drug reaction to community drug Distributor or nearest health facility”.
The Eastern Regional Health Directorate is calling on religious leaders, traditional authorities, assembly members and community stakeholders to support awareness creation and encourage full participation among eligible residents.
Health authorities say broad community participation is essential to preventing avoidable blindness and achieving the long-term elimination of river blindness in the region.
“Humbly request All Religious Leaders, Assemblymen, Traditional Leaders in implementing communities to support in awareness creation and monitoring the update of Oncho drug.Let all eligible individuals in beneficiary communities fully participated in the first round of Onchocerciasis MDA to prevent avoidable blindness” the Regional Health Directorate appealed.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
