WHO plans new yaws eradication campaign

摘要

"It's just a normal part of a child's life here in Ghana", said Akua Mansa, pointing to the ugly boils and fly-infested ulcers scattered over the body of Yaa, her 9-year-old daughter. "She's got yaws. But these problems will go away as she gets older." Meanwhile, Yaa plays alone in the dusty courtyard, shunned by other children. She does not go to school for fear of being mocked by her classmates. Yes, she has yaws, a skin and bone disease, which from time immemorial has been part of life in southern Ghana, particularly in remote poverty-stricken communities beyond the reach of health services and particularly among children between 5 and 15 years of age. And yes, her daughter's skin lesions have a 90% chance of resolving within a few months or years. Meanwhile, Yaa plays alone, and tears are never far.