As part of efforts to control the cholera outbreak in various communities, particularly in the Western Region, the Ghana Health Service, in partnership with the WRCC, is set to carry out a cholera vaccination campaign.
The vaccination campaign, which will run from Sunday, December 15 to Thursday, December 19, 2024, has become necessary given the rise of cholera cases in the region.
Addressing the media, the Regional Director of Health Service, Dr Yaw Ofori Yeboah, gave an overview of the outbreak and said it has become critical for everyone to support the efforts of authorities to curb the cholera outbreak.
“Currently, about 8 districts have reported cholera cases, and I must say that, up to now, the facilities within these 8 districts have managed over 800 cases, and that is a lot. We have lost 14 people so far. Currently, the epicentre is Sekondi-Takoradi, EKMA, and adjoining districts, Shama and then Ahanta West. So, we are appealing to everybody to take the basic cautions; that’s how people have been telling the population. It’s so important.
If you don’t do that, we are going to lose more people. So, please, personal hygiene is very important. And the food that we eat, we must make sure that it is warm. We must wash our hands. All these things are very important,”
“As soon as anybody starts getting these signs and symptoms, the person must report immediately to the nearest health facility. Please, there’s no need to attempt to go to a bigger facility. The nearest facility—that’s the most important thing. And we’re also encouraging people. Even while getting ready to go to the hospital.
If there’s ORS, let’s prepare ORS and start taking it. But nobody should stay at home. We have realized that a lot of people are reporting quite late to the health facility.”
Dr. Ofori Yeboah disclosed that the treatment of cholera is free and entreated food vendors to ensure to prepare food under hygienic conditions.
He called for support from stakeholders in the region to fight against such an outbreak.
” Yes. Treatment of cholera is free, and, currently, we are getting all the support we need from governments, as it were from the Ghana Health Service. We need a lot of support. For example, we need beds. We need beds,”
