Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh interacting with a patient
The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, and the Acting Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, visited parts of the Central Region of Ghana to educate the public on the cholera outbreak.
The minister, along with his entourage, began his awareness campaign on the streets of Winneba, cautioning residents about the dangers of the disease and emphasizing the need for proper sanitation measures to curb the spread.
He then proceeded to the Agona Swedru Municipal Hospital, where he visited four patients who were on admission. He checked up on them and assured them of the government’s commitment to fighting the disease.
During his interaction with the patients, he encouraged them to take advantage of the government’s vaccination exercise to help combat the disease and advised them to maintain proper hygiene.
“How long have you been here? Is there a gutter in front of your house? Don’t worry, you will be fine, okay? …the government has rolled out a vaccination policy, so when it comes, please ensure that you get vaccinated to help fight the disease,” he said to one of the patients in a conversation.
According to him, the government has implemented several measures to combat the outbreak, including a nationwide vaccination exercise.
He added that the vaccination campaign has already commenced in Cape Coast in the Central Region and Ablekuma in the Greater Accra Region, with Swedru expected to start soon.
He further assured the public that the vaccine is safe, stating that he had taken it himself as proof.
“The vaccine is not poisonous, harmful, or dangerous. I have taken mine, so there is no need to fear,” he said at the Winneba Municipal Hospital.
The minister urged citizens to take advantage of the vaccination exercise and adhere to hygienic practices to curb the spread of cholera.
Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea reiterated that sanitation remains a top priority in the fight against the disease.
Dr. Julius Abuku, the Medical Superintendent of the hospital, stated that the facility has recorded 327 suspected cases of cholera.
He added that the municipality has reported 411 suspected cases, with 71 samples taken and 28 confirmed positive.
He further stated that there have been three mortalities since the outbreak began. However, due to implemented measures, no deaths have been recorded in nearly a month.
The minister was accompanied by the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Director, Dr. Frank Lule, Nene Ofei Bosso, the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry, and other officials from the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service.
AM/EK