Health officials are reporting a significant milestone in Ghana’s fight against leprosy, as the Manhyia Government Hospital in the Ashanti Region has not recorded a single new case of the disease in more than five years.
This milestone marks a major success in Ghana’s ongoing efforts to eliminate the ancient bacterial disease, also known as Hansen’s disease, which can cause severe skin lesions and nerve damage if left untreated.
The sustained zero-case status is attributed to decades of coordinated national efforts, including early detection campaigns, widespread public education to reduce stigma, and the provision of free Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) by the National Leprosy Control Programme.
“Achieving zero cases for such a sustained period is a testament to the effectiveness of our surveillance, treatment, and community education systems,” said a public health official familiar with the hospital’s records. “It shows that leprosy, once a greatly feared disease, can be controlled and eliminated.”
Leprosy is caused by a slow-growing bacterium and is transmitted through prolonged close contact with an untreated person. While not highly contagious, delayed treatment can lead to permanent disability. Ghana’s strategy has focused on finding cases early and ensuring patients complete their full course of medication, which renders them non-infectious.
Health experts caution that vigilance remains crucial. The disease still exists in some parts of the country, and its long incubation period means new cases can still emerge from past infections. Officials stress the need to maintain active surveillance and public awareness to prevent a resurgence.
The achievement at Manhyia reflects growing confidence in Ghana’s ability to control neglected tropical diseases through sustained medical outreach, community engagement and reinforces Ghana’s progress toward the World Health Organization’s goal of interrupting leprosy transmission nationwide. Health leaders say the next challenge will be to replicate this success in other regions where leprosy has not yet been eliminated.
Source: Ghana Web
