Ghana is experiencing a worsening bacterial meningitis outbreak within the Higher West Area, straining the nation’s healthcare system as circumstances proceed to climb. With restricted assets and rising fatalities, well being authorities are racing in opposition to time to comprise the illness and supply essential remedy to these affected. In response to the escalating disaster, the World Well being Group (WHO) has stepped in to supply much-needed technical and logistical assist.
As circumstances elevated from 42 to 60, with 14 reported deaths, WHO donated 10,600 vials of Ceftriaxone, a potent antibiotic utilized in meningitis remedy. The donation, valued at roughly $23,000, was formally obtained by the Minister of Well being, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, at a quick ceremony in Accra. The Minister instantly handed over the vials to the Director-Common of the Ghana Well being Service (GHS), Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, for swift deployment to affected communities.
Talking on the handing over of the objects, Dr. Frank Lule, Officer in Cost of WHO Ghana, reaffirmed WHO’s dedication to Ghana’s well being methods. He mentioned, “This donation is one other testomony to WHO’s dedication to strengthening Ghana’s well being methods. If further vials are wanted, we will probably be right here to supply extra assist.”
Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister of Well being, emphasised the significance of WHO’s assist, saying: “We’re at the moment managing a number of outbreaks, and this well timed donation is essential. I’m about to transient Ghana’s Parliament on our response and can spotlight WHO’s assist.”
Along with medical provides, WHO has dispatched Dr. Nicolō Binello, a Technical Officer specializing in Meningitis and Epidemic Bacterial Ailments from its headquarters in Geneva. Dr. Binello will work intently with nationwide and native well being authorities to strengthen scientific care and response methods, guaranteeing efficient remedy for sufferers and mitigating additional unfold of the illness.
Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, Director-Common of Ghana Well being Service, assured that the donation could be put to instant use. “This donation will go on to the affected areas. WHO has additionally deployed a technical officer to assist Ghana’s meningitis response. We’re actually grateful”, he mentioned.
As a part of its response, the Ghana Well being Service has intensified public schooling campaigns, urging residents to hunt medical care on the earliest indicators of meningitis signs. Moreover, remedy for meningitis is being supplied freed from cost in all well being amenities to eradicate monetary limitations and cut back mortality charges.
The continuing collaboration between WHO, Ghanaian well being authorities, and native communities highlights a unified dedication to addressing the meningitis outbreak. By way of strategic interventions, professional deployment, and useful resource mobilization, efforts are being intensified to curb the illness and safeguard public well being.
For Further Data or to Request Interviews, Please contact:
Abdul-Lahie Abdul-Rahim Naa
Communications Officer
WHO Ghana Nation Workplace
E-mail: abdullahiea [at] who.int (abdullahiea[at]who[dot]int)
Tel: +233 20 196 2393