The Montserrado County Health Team concluded a two-day training on Saturday, March 1, 2025, aimed at strengthening the capacity of Community Health Assistants (CHAs) to identify and prevent Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in four rural health districts.
The training, held from February 27 to 28, 2025, was organized in collaboration with the Community Health Division and the Neglected Tropical Disease Unit of the Ministry of Health. It received financial support from the American Leprosy Mission, Effect Hope, and the Anesvad Foundation.
Participants were equipped with the skills to identify and manage diseases such as Buruli ulcer, Lymphedema, Leprosy, Hydrocele, Yaws, and Onchocerciasis. The sessions also focused on dispelling myths surrounding these conditions and raising community awareness.
Montserrado County Health Officer Dr. Jewel Kollie emphasized the importance of strengthening community-based healthcare to combat NTDs, which disproportionately affect low-income populations in rural areas. She highlighted that early detection and prevention are crucial in reducing the burden of these diseases, which can cause severe disability, social stigma, and even death if left untreated.
The initiative aligns with national efforts to improve public health by empowering CHAs to serve as frontline responders in their communities. Montserrado County Health Team has been actively engaging community health workers through various units within the Ministry of Health to enhance healthcare delivery.
Participants expressed appreciation for the training, noting that it broadened their knowledge of NTDs and improved their ability to identify and prevent these conditions. They praised Dr. Kollie and Madam Garmai Koluko Kennedy, the NTD focal person, for their leadership and insightful contributions during the sessions.
The Montserrado County Health Team reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening community health systems and ensuring that rural populations have better access to quality healthcare services.
