By Godfred Aaneamenga Polkuu
Namoo (U/E), Sept. 29, GNA – The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for stronger health surveillance and collaboration at Ghana’s border points to prevent the spread of infectious diseases across borders.
Dr Fiona Braka, WHO Country Director to Ghana, said the movement of people across borders posed significant public health risks, making effective screening, surveillance and referral systems essential.
She made the remarks when she engaged officials of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) at the Namoo border post as part of her three-day visit to the Upper East Region to understand its unique healthcare needs and assess preparations for the rollout of national health initiatives.
The Country Director, and her team led by Dr Braimah Baba Abubakari, the Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), discussed issues concerning border health and disease surveillance.
Dr Braka said mobile populations were particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases because of their frequent movement across communities and countries.
“When it comes to health, we don’t have borders between us. We are just looking at vulnerable people, and we have to have systems in place that can screen and easily identify concerns so that we can deal with them,” she said.
The Country Director noted that outbreaks could be triggered or accelerated by population movements, and stressed the need to give equal attention to the health of people moving across borders, just as attention was given to the movement of goods.
“Just like goods are moving, we also have to look at the health part of the people who are carrying these goods. We should be able to identify concerns and refer them or address them in some way or another,” she said.
Dr Braka also highlighted the importance of the One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health.
“It is also good to hear the issues around animals because we really promote the One Health approach. The human, animal and environment interaction is happening so much, and whatever way we are promoting health has to be holistic,” she said.
She called for closer collaboration with veterinary services, noting that diseases could be transmitted between animals and humans.
On emerging infectious disease threats, Dr Braka said the WHO was working with national partners, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM), to strengthen sensitization at points of entry.
She cited the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as a concern requiring vigilance, warning that geographical distance should not lead to complacency.
“You might think that we are very far from it. But people move. COVID started in China and spread to the whole world. It was far away,” she said.
Dr Braka said the WHO would continue working with stakeholders to strengthen preparedness and establish the capacity available at border points to respond effectively to public health threats.
“We are keen also to see what is happening on the other side and make sure that collaboration is there,” she said, adding that the WHO would explore ways to strengthen collaboration with the GIS and other relevant agencies in border districts.
Assistant Commissioner of Immigration (ACI) Jacob Jaflo Lartey, the Sector Commander, thanked the WHO team and management of the GHS for the visit, and noted that health was very critical and commended the GHS official designated at the post.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporter: Godfred Aaneamenga Polkuu
Reporter’s email: [email protected]