The Ghana Health Service (GHS) is ramping up efforts to raise awareness and improve treatment for Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS), a neglected tropical disease affecting a significant portion of the female population. Dr. Joseph Kwadwo Larbi Opare, the Program Manager for Neglected Tropical Diseases at GHS, revealed that the prevalence of FGS in the country ranges from 10% to 50% among women, while about 1% of men are affected.

FGS can lead to serious reproductive health problems, including infertility in women and, less commonly, sterility in men. Despite its severe consequences, FGS is often overlooked in medical practice. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that nearly 56 million girls and women in sub-Saharan Africa are affected by FGS, which can cause pelvic inflammation, fallopian tube obstruction, and other serious morbidities.

The infection is common in rural areas where women engage in activities such as washing clothes in infested waters. Symptoms of FGS include vaginal bleeding, bleeding during intercourse, genital itching or burning, pelvic pain, and pain during intercourse. Complications can be severe, leading to infertility, ectopic pregnancies, miscarriages, involuntary urination, genital ulcers, and tumors. FGS can also increase the risk of acquiring other sexually transmitted diseases.

Speaking to GHOne News in Koforidua at the sidelines of the Regional Neglected Tropical Diseases Advocacy town hall meeting sponsored by World Vision, Dr. Opare emphasized the need for extensive education and awareness among healthcare workers and the general population. Efforts are being made to integrate FGS education into daily health activities and training curricula for health professionals to improve diagnosis and treatment, thereby reducing the burden of this neglected tropical disease.

“It has been proven that we have a prevalence of 10% to 50% of female genital schistosomiasis in Ghana. Ultimately this condition can lead to infertility, and males can also become sterile, though it's just about 1%,” said Dr. Opare.

He added, “FGS is a silent area in medicine, and we are trying to do much education on this. At the national level, there is a committee overseeing FGS activities. We are incorporating this education into our daily activities among health workers and even non-health workers. Additionally, we aim to include it in the curriculum of many training institutions so that healthcare professionals can leverage this knowledge upon graduation to prevent and manage the condition effectively.”

Ghana, like many countries in the tropics, is not immune to neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Of the 20 NTDs identified by the WHO, 14 are found in Ghana, including trachoma, Buruli ulcer, yaws, leprosy, human African trypanosomiasis (HAT or sleeping sickness), leishmaniases, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis (river blindness), schistosomiasis, and soil-transmitted helminthiases.

Eastern Regional Director of GHS, Dr. Winfred Ofosu, noted that through collaboration with two NGOs, hundreds of suspected NTD cases have been identified in recent years in the region. However, stigmatization and misconceptions about the disease, often attributed to spiritual causes, hinder efforts to combat it. Dr. Ofosu urged traditional leaders to get involved in awareness creation.

Rev. Dr. Joyce Aryee, Ghana’s NTD Ambassador, called for a multi-sectoral approach to support the fight against NTDs, highlighting their serious implications for health, food security, education, and the economy at large.

Inadequate funding has been identified as a major obstacle affecting Ghana’s efforts to meet the WHO 2030 NTD road map and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3 targets.

Source by www.ghanaweb.com