NR: Ghana Health Service alley fears of possible cholera outbreak, urges public to practice good sanitation
The Ghana Health Service in the Northern region has allayed fears among the public about possible cholera outbreak in the region.
The Northern Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Chrysantus Kubio asked people in the region to be cautious about their sanitation, especially as the rains set in.
According to him, though some regions have recorded cases of cholera, there is no cholera in the northern region and all efforts must gear towards preventing the population against cholera.
As part of an effort to raise public awareness about cholera, the service began engaging key stakeholders including information service department, religious and opinion leaders and the media on the need to tailored appropriate messages to the public on their platforms and public places.
Briefing stakeholders and the media about the region’s status the Northern Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Chrysantus Kubio emphasized the need for people to ensure a clean environment and good personal hygiene.
He said the risk is high because of previous outbreaks in other regions and therefore the need for everyone to be alert and engage in good sanitary practices.
Health promotion Manager at Health Promotion Division at the Ghana Health Service headquarters, Patience Buahin identified open defecation as a major challenge contributing factor to cholera transmission and called for a behaviour change.
She added that 60 mega phones are being distributed to all sixteen assemblies’ health directorates in the northern region to aid them in their community sensitization programs.
A representative of the ministry of local government, Jonathan Akwabeng Manu stated that access to water, sanitation and hygiene is critical in tackling issues of cholera.
Mr Jonathan appealed to all stakeholders to play their roles at ensuring that the region did not get even a suspect case.
He urged stakeholders, especially the various metropolitan, municipal and district assembly to have a second look at their existing bylaws and enforce them.
He pleaded with stakeholders to focus on food hygiene and safety among people cooking and selling need to be looked at critically.
He explained that effective hand washing is very critical and issues of household water treatment he noted, should also need to be looked at to ensure that water at various homes are safe for drinking.
Deputy Director of Clinical Care at the Northern region Ghana Health Service, Dr Takyi Duayeden encouraged the public to report suspected cases early to health facilities for quick attention.
Over 6000 suspected cases and about 719 confirmed with 49 deaths in the affected regions in the country.
Dr Takyi mentioned symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea with sudden and acute. This diarrhea he said is considered by some people as rice water stool and is typical for cholera.
Cholera Dr Takyi warns can kill and should not under any circumstance be treated at home because some patients had blood stools, with cramps after losing electrolytes in their bodies.
