UHAS Launches Facility Assessment for Lymphatic Filariasis Morbidity Management and Disability Accessibility in Ghana Project in Partnership with Sightsavers and Ghana Health Service

The Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases Research of the Institute of Health Research (IHR) at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) hosted a stakeholder kick-off meeting on Monday, June 23, 2025 to officially launch a new collaborative initiative focused on developing and evaluating an integrated health facility assessment tool for Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) morbidity management and disability accessibility in selected LF endemic districts in Ghana. 

This is a partnership between UHAS, Sightsavers and Ghana Health Service purposed to integrate disability and facility assessments into broader Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) control efforts in Ghana.
The Director of the Centre for Neglected Tropical Diseases Research at UHAS-IHR and Principal Investigator on the project, Dr Alfred Kwesi Manyeh, gave an overview of the UHAS-Sightsavers collaboration. He outlined key focus areas of the partnership, including joint research on NTDs control, internship opportunities for students and comprehensive assessment of service delivery systems. He added that the collaboration would significantly enhance UHAS’ research profile and directly benefit communities through evidence-based interventions.

The Head of Portfolio for NTD Research at Sightsavers and Co-Principal Investigator of this project, Dr Richard Selby, delivered a technical presentation on the National LF Morbidity Management Strategy. He underscored the urgency of assessing the readiness of health facilities to provide hydrocele and lymphedema services, particularly as Ghana approaches an LF elimination threshold. He underscored the fact that, identifying infrastructure, financing and human resource gaps would be critical in improving healthcare delivery and ensuring that health services are inclusive and effective.

Speaking on behalf of Sightsavers Ghana, Mr. Gilbert Asante reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to inclusive health research and programming. He mentioned that the integration of disability assessments into the LF morbidity study was not only innovative but essential in ensuring that no one was left behind in the provision of wholistic healthcare and expressed optimism for future collaborations beyond the current project.

In a brief remark, the Pro-Vice Chancellor of UHAS, Professor Frank Edwin, expressed appreciation to all stakeholders and conveyed his confidence in the partnership in addressing this critical aspect of healthcare for people with NTD-related disabilities. 
The Dean of UHAS School of Pharmacy, Professor Kwame Ohene Buabeng, who doubles as the Acting Director of UHAS Institute of Health Research (UHAS-IHR), provided an overview of the mandate of UHAS-IHR, highlighting its commitment to conducting cutting-edge research into public health problems through multidisciplinary approaches.
The Chairperson for the occasion, Professor Evelyn Korkor Ansah, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology at UHAS-IHR Center for Malaria Research, among others,  emphasized the importance of strategic collaboration in tackling NTDs and strengthening primary healthcare systems.

The UHAS-Sightsavers collaboration sets the tone for a rigorous, multi-level health facility readiness assessment for NTD-related disabilities, which is expected to inform national policy and service delivery strategies for LF morbidity management. This keeps UHAS on the course of driving impactful research and partnerships that advance the national health agenda and contribute to the well-being of communities across Ghana.