The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has conveyed contentment with the health status in the Tongu Districts, which were recently impacted by flooding and resultant water accumulation.
Director-General of the GHS, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, visited various affected regions within the three Tongu Districts and emphasized in an interview that they are gratified by the absence of any disease outbreaks over the past two weeks following the disaster.
“We are quite satisfied that two weeks into this disaster, we have not had any outbreak of disease, which often happens in many countries and many places. So, we have simply come to support the districts in continuing the work they are doing,” he stated.
Dr. Kuma-Aboagye added, “We have brought some relief items, as well as mental health experts and psychologists, to assess the situation and determine what needs to be done. In the long term, those who have been displaced will need psycho-social support, and we are also here to look at the plight of the 271 health workers who are part of the displaced community.”
He also noted that any diseases currently present in the community are pre-existing.
Earlier, the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) raised a concerning issue, revealing the presence of individuals displaying symptoms of diarrhea within the emergency shelters established for those impacted by the Akosombo and Kpong Dams’ spillage.
Acting General Secretary of the GMA, Dr. Richard Selormey, made this revelation during an interview on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News.
He explained that the Association dispatched a team to assist in the rescue operations in the affected regions, and this team encountered several individuals afflicted with diarrhea and bilharzia.
“We have noted that the most common thing being found is people having malaria as well as skin diseases and respiratory conditions because most of the centres are holding a lot of people at a go and people are in close contact. We have also noticed that there are a few people beginning to show signs of diarrhea diseases and about two people are also showing signs of bilharzia,” he added.
Dr. Selormey further warned of an outbreak of waterborne diseases and urged the people to observe safety protocols while waiting for relief items.
“Our concern is the breakout of diarrheal diseases. That can be a big problem because it can quickly spread. And then also because of the crowding, respiratory tract infections. So key is the protocols we highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic which has to do with handwashing practices and advising the people not to touch things and making sure that there is good water available,” said Dr. Selormey.