Sunyani West Health Directorate Achieves Successes in EPI in 2024

Sunyani: The Sunyani West Municipal Directorate of Health has achieved significant successes in 2024, particularly in the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) coverage within the municipality.According to Ghana News Agency, the EPI aims to reduce morbidity and mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) through immunization, a crucial component of Primary Health Care (PHC). Ghana's EPI has expanded since its inception in 1978, growing from six vaccines to targeting 13 vaccine-preventable diseases today.Mrs. Benedicta Oppong Fremah, the Sunyani West Municipal Disease Control Officer, reported that the directorate successfully immunized 89.9 percent of children below one year (4,840 children) against measles in 2024. She highlighted that malaria RTSS immunization reached 3,512 children, representing 59 percent of the 5,789 targeted children in the municipality, while BCG immunization against tuberculosis reached 3,473 children, achieving 58.7 percent coverage.Mrs. Fremah shared these figures d uring the 2024 Annual Performance Review Meeting of the Directorate, held at Odomase, the municipal capital. The event was attended by local chiefs, queens, health workers, and other stakeholders. She noted that the directorate faced challenges in achieving full coverage, including the lack of motorbikes for outreach, intermittent vaccine shortages, and insufficient personnel.Reverend Esther Akua Konadu Prempeh, the Sunyani West Municipal Director of Health, praised the hard work of health workers and the support from stakeholders. She expressed the directorate's determination to achieve more significant health outcomes in 2025 and sought assistance to address immediate needs.Rev. Prempeh raised concerns about the poor conditions of some Community-based Health Planning Service (CHPS) compounds and the lack of essential resources, such as motorbikes for outreach, funds for health activities, and refrigerators for vaccine storage. She highlighted the dire state of the Aduonya, Kwabena-Kuma, and Kantro CHPS compounds, calling for their rehabilitation and the posting of more health workers to local communities due to personnel attrition.