The Minority Chief in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has referred to as on the federal government to halt any plans to dismiss nurses, stressing that the nation wants extra healthcare professionals to sort out the continuing cholera and meningitis outbreaks.
Reacting to the assertion of the Minister of well being, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, in Parliament on the present state of cholera and meningitis outbreak within the nation, he warned that it will be unfair to put off nurses at a time when Ghana is fileing 1000’s of cholera and meningitis circumstances, with a whole bunch of deaths.
“This isn’t the time to sack nurses. Authorities should encertain no healthcare skilled loses their job. Moderately, expedited steps ought to be taken to make use of all backlog of healthcare professionals to sort out the outbreak,” he burdened.
He urged all stakeholders to prioritise public well being over politics and make sure that enough medical personnel can be found to comprise the crises.
The Minister of Well being throwing gentle on the unfold of meningitis, assured Ghanaians that the continuing outbreak of the illness within the Higher West Area was being successfully managed to forestall additional unfold.
Addressing Parliament, he disclosed that as of February 16, 2025, Ghana had recorded 129 meningitis circumstances, with 16 deaths and 29 individuals nonetheless on admission.
The worst-hit districts, he stated, included Wa Municipal, Nadowli, Wa West, Jirapa, and Nandom.
Regardless of the alarming figures, the minister famous that the situation was enhancing because of swift interventions.
“Our efforts are paying off. Already, a wave of enchancment is clear within the Higher West Area, the place new meningitis circumstances are reducing,” he said.
He defined that the outbreak is brought on by Streptococcus, a pressure that’s extremely deadly and never preventable via vaccination.
He added that the government has mobilised assets to comprise the unfold, together with deploying medical specialists, securing antibiotics, and launching intensive public schooling campaigns.
Based on him, key measures undertaken embrace activating the Emergency Operations Centre for coordinated response efforts, offering free remedy for affected people, and holding common conferences with the World Well being Organisation (WHO) to align with world greatest practices.
Moreover, he talked about that 10,000 vials of Ceftriaxone, the antibiotic used for remedy, have been secured to make sure enough provide.
The minister additional burdened the significance of early detection, urging the general public to report signs similar to fever, complications, neck stiffness, and confusion to well being amenities promptly.
He additionally referred to as on native authorities to help consciousness creation and implement hygiene requirements.
“I attraction to our associates within the media to accentuate public education to forestall additional unfold of the illness,” he added.
Mr Akandoh reassured Parliament that the government stays dedicated to safeguarding public well being and can proceed monitoring the outbreak carefully.
BY RAISSA SAMBOU
