Kumasi, June 6, GNA – A Medical Practitioner has suggested a mass immunisation campaign against rubella, a disease also known as ‘German measles’ that is gradually affecting people, especially children. Dr Albert Boahene, a Paediatric Physician at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, stated that if strategies were adopted and a regular campaign embarked upon the disease could be wiped out within five years. Dr Boahene made the suggestion in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi on Monday, on the devastating nature of the disease and what could be done to eliminate it from the country.
He cautioned that unless a more serious campaign was launched to check the spread with the aim of eliminating the disease, it could cripple the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) programme because of the deformity it brought to the affected children especially girls.
Dr Boahene explained that even though the rubella disease does not kill instantly, it deformed people and also could make others mentally retarded, deaf and lame.
He said although the disease affected both sexes, females were most vulnerable. 06 June 05
