Health authorities in Grand Kru County have intensified community awareness, and screening campaign targeting children aged six, and seven as part of efforts to detect, and prevent neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
The initiative, led by the Ministry of Health (MoJ) through its Grand Kru County Chapter, and the Department of Neglected Tropical Diseases, seeks to take health education, and screening directly into communities where children could be at risk of developing complications associated with neglected tropical diseases.
The one-day awareness exercise, held in Barclayville over the weekend, brought together children, and community members as health workers explained the nature of NTDs, preventive measures, and the importance of early detection.
Community Health Focal Person, Martin M. Sengbe, said the exercise is not limited to awareness.
Sengbe noted that health workers will also screen children to determine whether they are affected by the targeted diseases.
He said, additional awareness, and testing activities will be conducted in selected communities in the county.
Sengbe urged parents, and guardians to cooperate with health workers, and ensure that eligible children are available when the screening teams arrive in their communities.
Meanwhile, N. Peter Y. Flomo, NTD National Program Administrator, and Team Lead of the Grand Kru County EMS Survey, said the campaign is specifically focused on children between six and seven years old.
Flomo said, Grand Kru, Maryland, Sinoe, and Grand Cape Mount are among the counties benefiting from the initiative.
The program is supported by the World Health Organization (WHO).
It is expected to continue through 2030, making sustained community participation essential to achieve the objectives.
Mr. Flomo appealed to parents and guardians not to overlook the screening exercise.
