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The Ashanti Regional Health Directorate has inaugurated a Lead Poisoning Prevention Steering Committee to lead an advocacy campaign on prevention of lead poisoning in the Region.

The 11-member committee would advocate for policies and bye-laws against lead poisoning and engage stakeholders in the lead industry to limit environmental and occupational exposure to heavy metal.

It has also been mandated to promote institutionalisation of lead poisoning awareness creation as part of routine health education at service delivery points and advocate for testing and treatment facility for lead poisoning.

The inauguration of the committee formed part of a campaign dubbed, “UNICEF/GHS Communication for Development (C4D) – Lead Poisoning Prevention,” which sought to draw public attention to the harmful effects of lead poisoning on the human body, especially children.

Funded by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), the concept, aimed at protecting the potential of every child is being implemented in six selected municipalities including Asokore Mampong, Afigya Kwabre South, Old Tafo, Asokwa, Suame and Kumasi Metro.

Mr Micah Asare Bediako, the Deputy Director of Health Services in charge of Administration who inaugurated the committee, reminded members that their inclusion was a call to serve humanity and charged them to show commitment to fight against lead poisoning in the region.

He said lead poisoning had been a major heath challenge for many years and that the inauguration of the committee was a giant step towards tackling the menace head-on and urged all stakeholders to put their shoulders to the wheel to protect lives.

He said the committee had a lot of work to do to minimise the environmental and health risks of lead and implored members to hit the ground running to achieve the desired results.