The Upper West Regional Health Directorate has stepped up preparations for the second round of the 2026 mass drug administration campaign against onchocerciasis, commonly known as river blindness, with a regional training programme for health personnel from all 11 districts.
The one-day Training of Trainers (TOT) workshop, held on September 29 at the Legends DEN Events Centre in Wa, focused on equipping district health teams with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively implement the campaign and improve community participation.
Participants included Disease Control Officers, Health Promotion Officers, Health Information Officers and other frontline health personnel responsible for coordinating the exercise across the region.
Opening the workshop, Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Josephat Nyuzaghl, commended health workers for their contribution to healthcare delivery and urged them to demonstrate renewed commitment to ensure communities benefit from the intervention.
He assured participants that the Regional Health Directorate would continue to provide districts and health facilities with the necessary logistical support to facilitate effective implementation.
Mr Edward Tei, representing the Ghana Health Service Headquarters, also commended the regional directorate for its efforts and urged health personnel to sustain their commitment to the programme.
The training covered key areas of the campaign, including implementation strategies, community mobilisation, registration procedures and coverage monitoring.
Presentations were delivered by Madam Justina Zoyah on the training objectives; Regional Neglected Tropical Diseases Coordinator, Mr Ibrahim Mumuni, on onchocerciasis and lessons from the first round of the 2026 campaign; Mr Banabas Kyinpuo on MDA implementation; Mr Richard Darku on registration and coverage tools; and Mr John Makper on social mobilisation.
Participants also engaged in interactive discussions, sharing experiences and seeking clarification on strategies to improve the effectiveness of the exercise.
A highlight of the workshop was the recognition of Lawra District Director of Health Services, Madam Phoebe Balagumyetime, by Dr Nyuzaghl for her outstanding commitment and contribution to neglected tropical diseases activities in the region.
The recognition highlighted the importance of leadership and dedication in the implementation of public health interventions.
The regional training is expected to strengthen district-level coordination and preparedness for the second-round campaign, with health authorities counting on effective implementation and community participation to advance efforts against river blindness in the Upper West Region.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
