By: Henrietta Afful
The Minister of Health, Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has called for an enhanced public education and a united effort among healthcare professionals, religious organizations, the media, and other key stakeholders to combat the ongoing cholera outbreak.
Following reports from the Ghana Health Service in November 2024, the Health Minister emphasized the importance of collaborative action to prevent further spread of the disease.
He said that a concerted approach is vital to safeguarding public health and ensuring effective prevention measures across Ghana.
Mr. Akandoh, during a visit to the Winneba and Swedru municipal hospitals in the Central Region, noted a promising decline in cholera cases. He was pleased to report that no deaths had been recorded in the past three weeks.
The Minister expressed his satisfaction with the hospitals’ proactive efforts, particularly their establishment of isolation centers for cholera patients, which he believes has contributed significantly to the positive trend.
Addressing residents in Winneba, the Health Minister underscored the critical importance of good hygiene practices, such as eating hot meals, drinking clean water, and washing hands regularly. These simple steps, he noted, are vital in preventing the transmission of cholera.
In a further effort to protect the public, the Minister announced that the government has made safe and free oral vaccines available to residents in Ablekuma, Awutu, and Cape Coast. He emphasized the safety of the vaccines, sharing that he had already received his own dose publicly in Ablekuma to encourage others to follow suit.
The Health Minister appealed to Ghanaians to visit designated health centers to access the free vaccines and called on local radio stations, religious bodies, local government authorities, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to lend their support to the ongoing cholera prevention campaign.
He also emphasized the essential role of health workers, particularly those in Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS), in promoting hygiene in marketplaces and community centers.
Highlighting the broader environmental issues, the Minister reminded residents to avoid open defecation and the indiscriminate disposal of waste, both of which contribute to the spread of cholera. He stressed that maintaining a clean and safe environment is crucial to preventing further outbreaks.
He assured the general public that the cholera situation is now under control and called for continued vigilance and cooperation to ensure that the disease does not resurge.
The Minister was accompanied during his visit by the acting Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, the WHO country representative, health directors, health workers, and the media.
