Ghana Health Service Reveals Emergency Measures as Ebola Outbreak Concerns Grow

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has activated its Ebola preparedness measures and conducted simulation exercises to test the country’s readiness to respond to a potential outbreak.

The Director-General of the GHS, Dr Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, said the Service was closely monitoring developments in countries affected by Ebola and working with relevant institutions to assess possible risks to Ghana.

He said surveillance and emergency response planning had been intensified following reports of outbreaks in parts of Africa, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, alongside concerns about the potential spread of the disease across borders.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on October 26, Dr Kaba Akoriyea explained that Ghana remained in the preparedness stage and was testing its response systems through simulation exercises.

He noted that international travel and connections between countries made continuous monitoring and information sharing essential to preventing the disease from spreading undetected.

The GHS Director-General said the Service was relying on its Public Health Emergency Operations Centre at Pantang to monitor international health developments and coordinate preparedness activities.

The facility operates around the clock to track emerging public health threats and support timely responses to situations that could affect Ghana.

He disclosed that the Service had conducted approximately three simulation exercises since concerns about the disease emerged in the region.

Preparations, he added, began earlier following reports of the outbreak in the DRC and were subsequently strengthened as developments in other countries were monitored.

The exercises are designed to assess the effectiveness of emergency response arrangements, including the identification and management of suspected cases, coordination among institutions, communication procedures and the mobilisation of resources during a potential public health crisis.

Dr Kaba Akoriyea said Ghana’s preparedness efforts involved approximately 33 institutions, reflecting the need for a coordinated, multi-agency response in the event of an outbreak.

He indicated that discussions had involved organisations responsible for health, education, security, social welfare, local government and emergency management.

Among the institutions participating in the preparations are the Food and Drugs Authority, the National Disaster Management Organisation, the National Commission for Civic Education, the Ghana Education Service, the Veterinary Services Department, the National Peace Council and the Ghana Armed Forces.

The involvement of these agencies is intended to strengthen coordination in emergency management, public education, security, logistics and support for people who may be affected by an outbreak.

The GHS chief also highlighted Ghana’s collaboration with neighbouring countries to improve preparedness for infectious diseases and other public health threats that could spread across national borders.

He said the Service had held engagements with health authorities in Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire, alongside a tripartite meeting aimed at sharing information, assessing developments and coordinating potential responses.

Dr Kaba Akoriyea stressed that cross-border cooperation was particularly important because of the movement of people between countries and the need for health authorities to exchange information promptly.

Source: https://www.myjoyonline.com/ghana-activates-ebola-preparedness-system-conducts-simulation-exercises-ghs/

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