Lepers at Nkanchina calls for help

Over 100 lepers at Nkachina leprosarium in the Kpandai district of the northern region are appealing to individuals, benevolent organizations to assist them in the renewal of their National Health Insurance premium. The lepers who are registered beneficiary under National health insurance scheme some few years ago were renewed once since the first registration supported by Fr. Andrew Campbell, chairman of the lepers aide committee. The village, which is largely dominated by male lepers with little over 850 children in the community, cannot boast of a single development intervention for those children since Independence. The deplorable nature of the community has immensely affected the quality of life of the people especially in accessing quality healthcare, education, potable drinking water, electricity and other basic amenities.  Fiila news can revealed that the Lepers have been living in the Nkanchina No.2 community since 1950, when they were first brought by their families for medical treatment at the West Africa Leprosarium Centre, built by the Evangelical Church of Ghana, during colonial days.  Madam Zenabu Yahaya, a leper in Nkachina No.2 in an interview Fiila News revealed that since they were registered they have since not been able to renew their cards after it was renewed some years ago. She noted that as a result they are unable to visit health facilities to access health care services. Madam Zenabu further revealed that the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) is insufficient for their livelihood as they bearly can work. The lepers therefore called for an increase in the LEAP support program to improve their living conditions.

Source: Saaka Alhassan