Over a billion people worldwide are afflicted by neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), primarily in tropical and subtropical areas. Poor communities are disproportionately affected by these illnesses because they have less access to primary medical care, clean water, and sanitary conditions. NTDs like schistosomiasis, onchocerciasis, soil-transmitted helminths (such as ascariasis and hookworm), Yaws, and Lymphatic filariasis are endemic in Ghana and are highly correlated with unfavorable environmental circumstances. In recent years, Ghana’s water bodies have been increasingly devastated by galamsey, an illicit small-scale mining practice. This is a cause for immediate and urgent concern. These operations, which involve the use of cyanide, mercury, and other hazardous chemicals in gold extraction, not only harm river systems but also significantly reduce the availability of clean water for residential use.
As a result, communities dependent on these water sources are at a heightened risk of NTDs. This article explores how galamsey exacerbates the spread of NTDs and underscores the critical need for coordinated actions to mitigate these health risks.
How Water Pollution (Galamsey) Fuels a Silent NTDs Epidemic.
Water quality and availability are critical not only for disease control but also when the activities of galamsey and illegal small-scale mining deteriorate these water bodies used for domestic use, and it becomes a precursor for waterborne and water-related disease outbreaks. Galamsey puts both at serious risk. Rivers that previously supported agriculture and provided drinking water have been contaminated by cyanide and mercury, making it necessary for communities to rely on contaminated water. The deterioration of the environment makes it easier for NTDs to spread, particularly those associated with waterborne or water-related transmission. This interconnectedness underscores the crucial need for a holistic approach to addressing these issues. Below are some NTDs that can plague these galamsey communities.
Schistosomiasis: A parasitic disease brought on by Schistosoma worms, schistosomiasis is one of the most alarming NTDs affected by galamsey and illegal small-scale mining. Human contamination happens when contaminated water touches the worms that grow in freshwater snails. The creation of stagnant pools of water and other environmental disturbances by galamsey encourage the reproduction of schistosomiasis-carrying snails. Thus, galamsey generates hotspots for the spread of illness by interrupting natural river flows and contaminating water sources.
Soil-Transmitted Helminths: Ascariasis, trichuriasis, and hookworm infections are among the soil-transmitted helminths (STH) that galamsey and illegal small-scale mining indirectly promotes the spread of. Poor hygiene and sanitation are strongly associated with many illnesses and are exacerbated when access to clean water is restricted. Communities are compelled to utilize contaminated water due to contaminated water bodies. This means that communities are forced to use unsafe water for domestic activities such as washing and bathing, which increases the likelihood of these infections.
Yaws, a bacterial skin disease caused by Treponema pallidum pertenue, spreads through direct skin contact, especially in poor sanitation environments. Galamsey activities worsen the conditions that encourage disease development, even if person-to-person transmission is the primary method. Illegal mining degrades the environment, resulting in congested, filthy living quarters with restricted access to clean water. This promotes a lack of cleanliness and raises the possibility of open sores and skin infections, which aid in spreading Yaws. Weak public health infrastructure in galamsey-affected communities makes disease control even more complex and increases the likelihood of Yaws outbreaks.
The direct chemical poisoning of water bodies by mercury and cyanide used in galamsey operations adds another layer of risk to public health on top of the biological factors that drive the transmission of NTD. As a neurotoxin, mercury Long-term exposure to mercury can weaken the immune system, increasing a population’s susceptibility to bacterial and parasite infections.
Policy Implications and the Need for Action
Galamsey’s connection to the spread of NTDs emphasizes the urgency of swift governmental action. A complex strategy is needed to address this twofold issue, including:
Environmental Protection and Regulation: To stop galamsey activities, the government must strictly enforce environmental protection laws. Shielding water bodies from contamination is also necessary to reduce the danger of NTD transmission.
Water and Sanitation Infrastructure: Improving these facilities is crucial for reducing the impact on public health, especially in galamsey-affected communities. NTD incidence can be considerably decreased by providing communities with clean water and encouraging good hygiene habits.
Community Engagement and Education: Public health campaigns that raise awareness about the dangers of galamsey and promote behavioral changes related to water use and hygiene are crucial to preventing NTD transmission. Engaging local communities in environmental stewardship can also empower them to resist the encroachment of illegal mining activities.
Strengthening Healthcare Systems: To address the rising burden of NTDs, healthcare systems in affected areas must have the resources and training necessary to diagnose and treat these diseases. Expanding access to mass drug administration (MDA) programs for NTDs can help reduce the disease burden in the short term while long-term solutions are put in place.
Conclusion
Wide-ranging repercussions for public health result from Galamsey’s environmental devastation in Ghana, especially when it comes to Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). The most disadvantaged groups would likely be disproportionately affected by the transmission of NTDs when water sources become more contaminated and unreachable. Urgent action at the nexus of social policy, public health, and environmental preservation is needed to address this issue. The Government should shield its citizens from the combined hazards of disease and environmental degradation by implementing measures to halt galamsey, enhance the infrastructure for water and sanitation, reclaim the degraded sites and fortify healthcare institutions.
BY: Emmanuel Twumasi, Student at the Fred N. Binka School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS).
