By Sasel E. A. Ekumah, GNA
Accra, July 27, GNA – The Ministry of Health (MoH) has trained community members with skills to prevent, detect and respond to cholera outbreaks.
The sensitisation, held under the theme “Cholera Training for Community Members – MoH Initiatives,” brought together Queen mothers, market queens and organisers and community leaders including assembly members.
Speaking at the programmes, Mrs Evelyn Dowuona, Regional Quality and Safety Manager and Infection Prevention and Control Coordinator, described cholera as a severe diarrhoeal disease spread through contaminated food, water or surfaces.
She said symptoms developed between 12 hours and five days after infection and included excessive watery diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, excessive thirst, weakness and rapid loss of body fluids.
“Timely access to safe blood can make the difference between life and death for women experiencing childbirth complications,” she said.
Mrs Dowuona warned that cholera could result in severe dehydration and death within hours if treatment was delayed.
She advised that suspected cases should immediately begin taking Oral Rehydration Solution while arrangements were made to transport the patient to the nearest health facility.
Mrs Dowuona encouraged regular hand washing with soap under running water, use of alcohol‑based sanitiser when soap and water were unavailable, eating thoroughly cooked food, peeling fruits and vegetables before eating, maintaining clean surroundings and using hygienic toilet facilities.
She said that where no toilet facility existed, faecal matter should be buried at least 30 metres away from any water source.
Mrs Joyce Amposah, staff of the Ghana Health Service, explained the role of Risk Communication and Community Engagement Committee members during outbreaks.
She said they served as a vital link between health authorities and communities by providing accurate information, encouraging positive behaviours and helping suspected patients access health facilities.
Mrs Amposah said that committee members were expected to identify and address rumours promptly, serve as role models by practising prevention measures, and mobilise residents to participate in public health interventions including vaccination campaigns.
She reminded the public that cholera remained preventable and urged individuals, families and communities to maintain hygiene, ensure access to safe water and sanitation, embrace vaccination and seek immediate medical attention when symptoms appeared.
Participants were educated on practical measures such as drinking only safe water, including bottled water with unbroken seals, boiled water or water treated with aqua tablets, and treating tap water before use whenever its safety was uncertain.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Reporter: Sasel E.A Ekumah