Ghana is currently grappling with a cholera outbreak, raising significant concerns among health officials and communities across the nation.
So far, 16 deaths have been reported, alongside 116 confirmed cases in four regions: Greater Accra, Eastern, Central, and Western.
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) is urging the public to reimplement COVID-19 hygiene protocols to help curb the outbreak. Dr. Dennis Laryea, Deputy Director of Disease Surveillance at the GHS, emphasized that these deaths could have been prevented if individuals sought early medical care.
“Our primary concern has been the fatalities. While the case numbers are concerning, many individuals arrived at health facilities already deceased, indicating delays in seeking treatment. Approximately seven or eight were brought in dead,” he noted.
Dr. Laryea added that most of the others spent less than 12 to 24 hours in the hospital, leaving little time for effective intervention. “Their kidneys may have stopped functioning due to dehydration. If you start experiencing symptoms such as vomiting or watery diarrhea, it’s crucial to get to a health facility immediately,” he urged.
Channel One News visited Osu in the Korley Klottey Municipality, one of the affected areas in Greater Accra, where residents expressed their sanitation challenges.
“One major issue impacting our community is the inconsistent supply of tap water, which has exacerbated our sanitation problems. We urge the authorities to ensure a steady water supply to help reduce cholera transmission,” one resident lamented.
Another resident added, “We lack consistent water for basic domestic needs, like cleaning our toilets. Additionally, the refuse dump area is in poor condition, creating an environment conducive to cholera, especially with children playing nearby and food exposed to flies. We need urgent action on water supply and sanitation.”
Concerns were also raised about mosquito breeding at Osu Beach, with another resident stating, “The authorities are doing nothing about it. We urge them to address this issue.”
Dr. Laryea reiterated that the factors driving the outbreak remain unchanged. “Personal hygiene and proper food handling practices are crucial. If people don’t wash their hands with soap and water before eating and fail to properly clean their fruits and vegetables, they increase the risk of cholera infection. The bacteria are present in the environment, and inadequate waste management heightens the risk of disease spread,” he cautioned.
