By Samuel Akumatey
Battor (V/R), Oct. 24, GNA – The Ghana Health Service (GHS) is stepping up disease prevention measure in communities affected by the ongoing spillage of the Akosombo dam with the provision of thousands of mosquito nets.
Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Director General of the GHS, said it considered the rise in vector-borne diseases, and the intervention was an effort to protect the many displaced victims from mosquitoes and the like.
An effort to save the Akosombo Dam from overflow had flooded several communities.
In a reaction to protect communities affected by the disaster the Director General addressed a meeting with stakeholders at the National Emergency Operations Center at Battor following a tour of the affected areas on Monday.
He said flood was expected to recede over several months, and that the Health Service would sustain interventions till the end.
Dr. Kuma-Aboagye said the Service and its stakeholders focused on other health risks and challenges including the invasion of dangerous animals.
He said there was adequate stock of anti-snake venom and advised that the Volta River Authority (VRA) and other stakeholders worked together to ensure the needed medical supplies.
The Service is supplying large quantities of disinfectants, washing soaps, sanitisers, and water purification materials.
The Director General said waste management was also being considered seriously both within the communities and the various safe havens as part of the efforts to secure the 35,000 affected from disease outbreak.
“We are hoping that the early response would reverse anticipated health risks,” he said.
He further mentioned the provision of psychological experts to help free the thousands from trauma and said the support would be extended to individuals and families hosting the displaced.
Dr Kuma-Aboagye commended the record of zero cases of diseases such as cholera, which he said rewarded the commitment of health workers, and that the Service and partners including the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) were undertaking risk communication to help save lives.
Mr Michael Kofi Zigah, North Tongu Director of Health noted the need for extensive risk communication, which would help keep communicable diseases at bay.
He said a health force of ten doctors and several clinical nurses were taking control of the six health centres among the 15 safe havens in the district.
The Director General was accompanied on the visit by some Service heads, including the Director of Public Health.
GNA