By Sarah Baafi
In a press release dated February 4, 2025, SEND GHANA has expressed deep concern over the escalating cholera outbreak and rising meningitis cases in Ghana. The organization is calling on the government to take immediate action to contain these health crises and prevent further loss of life.
The cholera outbreak, which began in October 2024 in the Western and Central regions, has spread to other areas including Greater Accra and Eastern regions. As of late January 2025, the outbreak had claimed at least 43 lives with over 480 confirmed infections across five regions. Meanwhile, meningitis cases are also on the rise in parts of Northern Ghana.
SEND GHANA emphasizes the need for urgent public education campaigns through traditional and social media platforms to raise awareness about controlling both diseases. They advocate for establishing a dedicated funding source for epidemic responses at national and district levels to ensure rapid response capabilities.
“We urge all Ghanaians to adhere strictly to health protocols provided by the Ghana Health Service,” said Siapha Kamara, CEO of SEND GHANA. “Public cooperation is crucial in preventing further spread and saving lives.”
In light of these challenges, SEND GHANA’s board members—Janet Mohammed (Chair), Al-Hassan Y. Seini, Justina Anglaare Emmanuel Darko Moses Bakar—join forces with stakeholders nationwide to push for enhanced public health security initiatives.
As part of its broader strategy, SEND GHANA suggests that budgetary allocations should prioritize public health emergency funding. This would enable rapid responses during future outbreaks while reducing casualties significantly.
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