The World Vision Buruli Ulcer Prevention and Treatment Programme in Ghana ended last month, leaving many prevention centres and patients who are suffering from crippling Buruli ulcers without support.

The programme has, for the past six years, developed free health clinics to raise awareness about treatment and to debunk myths about the disease, which locally is believed to be caused by witchcraft. As of last month, the programme came to an end, but concerns over the spread of Buruli in Ghana continues.

'Buruli Ulcer has lost a profile in our public health to the extent that attracting donor support is difficult,' said Dr Edwin Ampadu, the National Focal Person for Buruli at the Disease Control and Prevention Department of the Ghana Health Service. 'Unfortunately, Buruli ulcers look very ugly. No one wants to invest in it, and therefore it is termed as a negative tropical disease.'

Buruli ulcers are caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans and are the most neglected tropical disease in the world. Infection leads to soft tissue damage and ulceration, and if not treated early can cause serious mobility and joint problems for patients. The way the disease is transmitted is still being investigated and a vaccine is being developed, however, in the mean time over 1,000 cases of Buruli ulcers are reported annually in Ghana alone.

'The treatment is free, but because the people come with very big wounds, some tend to stay at the ward for six or eight months and we need to feed them, including family members who stay around to take care of their needs,' said Martin Oppong, Buruli Programme Coordinator for the West Municipality.

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Image: Purle woman and son. Credit: Julius! on Flickr.