The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Patrick Kumah-Aboagye, has disclosed that the cholera outbreak recorded in Ghana (Ada East and West) were imported cases.
Dr Kumah-Aboagye has indicated that the West African coast has recorded cholera cases, and Ghanaian fisherfolk who went on high seas for fishing, contracted the disease out of Ghana’s jurisdiction.
“The whole of the West African coast, from Nigeria to Liberia, we have had some outbreaks and the cases reported in Ghana were from fishermen who have been to those places, who transferred it to Ada East and Ada West,” the GHS boss made these disclosures when he spoke to the media on the sidelines of the national rollout of standards and practice guidelines for pharmaceutical services.
This is an event that was held for trainers and trainees on standards and practice for pharmaceuticals in Ghana. It assembled stakeholders such as regional pharmacists and the Food and Drug Authority (FDA), among others.
Giving an update on the case, the GHS boss told the media that health authorities are doing their best and have brought the situation under control.
“They were imported cases, but so far, the numbers have reduced and cases are reducing, with few people diagnosed with the ailment, and we have been able to contain it in the two districts.
Patrick Kumah-Aboagye added that the GHS is embarking on education to sensitise the masses on means within which they can live without contracting the disease.
He told the media: “We are educating them on how to protect themselves from the disease by practicing good hand hygiene and sanitation practices of their environment to control the transmission. We have made significant progress.
Earlier, Alhaji Kofi Baryeh, former Ashanti regional manager of medical stores, urged Ghanaian Pharmacists to prioritise clinical pharmacy in the discharge of their duties.
Alhaji Baryeh has also implored pharmacists to embrace data analysis in their profession.
He noted that pharmacy is evolving; hence, regional pharmaceutical heads should adjust as well.
