Swedru: Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister of Health, has paid an unannounced visit to the Swedru Municipal Government Hospital to assess the cholera situation in the Agona West Municipality. The Central Region has recorded 412 suspected cases of cholera, 29 confirmed cases, and three deaths within three weeks.
According to Ghana News Agency, the visit was intended to enable the Minister to interact with health personnel of Agona West and Effutu Municipalities in the Central Region. Mr Akandoh pledged the government's readiness to help contain the disease. Addressing the doctors, nurses, administrators, and paramedical staff, Mr Akandoh said President Mahama was committed to ensuring that health personnel were supported and encouraged to bring the disease under control.
He emphasized the importance of potable water and good sanitation in combating the disease and urged residents of the affected areas to drink potable water, eat hot food, and keep their environment clean. The Ministry of Health plans to roll out a vaccination exercise in Agona West, Effutu, Cape Coast, and Awutu Senya-East (Kasoa) as part of efforts to control the disease. The Minister urged stakeholders to intensify public education about the vaccination exercise to safeguard public health.
Mr Akandoh commended the health staff at the Swedru Municipal Hospital for their efforts to bring the disease, which claimed three lives, under control. He reiterated calls for residents of both affected and unaffected communities to maintain cleanliness in their environments. He cautioned health personnel against a lukewarm attitude towards patients, especially during emergencies or referrals, warning of punitive action to maintain efficiency in the health sector.
Dr Frank Lule, Country Director of the World Health Organisation (WHO), accompanied the Minister and assured that everything possible would be done to stem the outbreak. He urged people, particularly in coastal areas, to keep their environment clean to prevent cholera outbreaks.
Dr Julius Abuku, the Medical Superintendent of Swedru Municipal Government Hospital, briefed the Minister and his entourage on the current situation, stating that only four patients were on admission pending discharge. Dr Abuku highlighted the need for urgent expansion of the hospital, which was built in 1950 and expanded to a 172-bed capacity, to meet the growing population needs. He appealed for improved equipment, accommodation, and more doctors to enhance effective services in Agona West and beyond.
The Minister was accompanied by Prof Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, Director-General, Ghana Health Service, Dr Agnes Achiamaa Anane, Acting Regional Director of Health, and Dr John Koku Awoonor-Williams, Special Advisor to the Minister of Health.
