Lakeside communities within the Volta Basin are grappling with a surge in cases of Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS), following the Akosombo Dam spillage.
The water-borne tropical disease, also known as bilharzia, has gained prominence as a significant contributor to infertility and maternal morbidity, despite being classified among neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
Mr. Ben Sackey, Director of the Environmental and Sustainable Development Department of the Volta River Authority (VRA), highlighted the daunting challenge posed by schistosomiasis, attributing its prevalence to the construction of the dam. The disease is now feared to be dominant in over 400 communities across five regions sharing the Volta Basin.
Speaking at a symposium in Ho to commemorate the 2024 World NTDs Awareness Day, Mr Sackey emphasized the impact of the spillage, explaining that the floodwaters carried along aquatic weeds housing snails that transmit schisto worms. He stressed that these weeds could now be found in communities where they were not previously present.
To combat the escalating crisis, Mr. Sackey outlined ongoing efforts, including a baseline study on infection spread conducted by the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in collaboration with the VRA. The provision of sanitary facilities and drinking water for affected communities is being sustained, alongside partnerships with health authorities for mass drug administration in lakeside communities.
Projects such as the dredging of the lower Volta are on the horizon, and a recent collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the KNUST aims to develop economic value for aquatic weeds.
Professor Morhe, Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at UHAS, emphasized the gravity of schistosomiasis, calling it “the most neglected gynaecological condition in sub-Saharan Africa.” He cited an increased risk among women and girls in underdeveloped countries, affecting over 50% of females in Africa south of the Sahara.
Complications associated with the disease include infertility, ectopic pregnancies, preterm births, underdeveloped babies, and an increased risk of HIV. Prof. Morhe revealed that a study in eleven Volta Basin communities showed 36.21% of the surveyed women had the disease, primarily affecting adult teens and young adults.
Despite the alarming statistics, the exact number of affected persons in the Volta Basin remains unknown. Prof. Morhe urged stakeholders to focus on disease prevention efforts, including an end to open defecation and urination, which contribute to the infestation of water bodies with parasites.
Dr. Alfred Kwesi Manyeh, a senior research fellow at UHAS leading the baseline study, highlighted issues such as inadequate water supply, lack of social mobilization, and concerns about adverse drug reactions.
The symposium, themed “Addressing the Burden of Schistosomiasis and the Related Conditions in Ghana Towards Achievement of the 2023 Road Map,” brought together stakeholders, health experts, and heads of the Volta Regional Health Directorate to address the pressing health crisis.
A route march through the streets of Ho and Hohoe preceded the symposium, aiming to raise community awareness about neglected tropical diseases, with a particular emphasis on the dreaded Schistosomiasis.