The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, has called on stakeholders in the Upper East Region to intensify vigilance and surveillance efforts against Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM), amid ongoing health concerns in northern Ghana.
Addressing the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council during a working visit to the region, Professor Akoriyea stressed the importance of public education on the symptoms and preventive measures of meningitis to ensure early detection and treatment.
His call comes in the wake of confirmed cases earlier this year in the Upper West Region, where 16 lives were lost out of 173 suspected cases. In the Upper East Region, two deaths have been recorded from 31 suspected cases, although the region has yet to declare an official outbreak.
“Though the situation appears to be under control, we cannot be complacent. Stakeholders, particularly in the Upper West and Upper East Regions, must remain on high alert to prevent further spread.” Professor Akoriyea cautioned.
He expressed concern over the public’s reluctance to seek early medical attention when symptoms appear but assured that the Ghana Health Service had procured sufficient vaccines to respond swiftly to any potential outbreak.
The Director-General also emphasized the need for heightened surveillance at Ghana’s borders, noting that the proximity to Sahelian countries poses a continuous risk of cross-border infections.
In addition to health concerns, Professor Akoriyea drew attention to the acute shortage of health workers in the region. He attributed the challenge to insecurity in conflict-prone areas such as Bawku, which discourages health professionals from accepting postings.
“Without peace, health indicators will not improve,” he stressed, highlighting that safety fears undermine healthcare delivery in the region.
He further criticized external interference in staff postings and transfers, urging local authorities to support the equitable distribution of healthcare workers across all districts.
Responding on behalf of the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Donatus Atanga Akamugri, the Acting Regional Coordinating Director, Al-Hassan Ibrahim Abdul-Kadir, acknowledged the concerns raised and assured that the Regional Minister would work to address them. He added that collaborative efforts with the Ghana Medical Association were underway to improve the security and working environment for health professionals in the region.