WHO boosts Ghana’s cholera response with essential supplies
Cholera is an acute infectious disease transmitted mainly through the consumption of food or water contaminated with cholera bacteria. Cholera poses a significant public health threat, especially in areas with inadequate sanitation and unsafe drinking water. It can cause severe dehydration and death within hours if untreated, making early detection and prompt response crucial.
In recent months, Ghana has faced multiple public health emergencies, including cholera outbreaks. These emergencies stretch the country’s health system as it implements response activities to contain outbreaks in affected areas while strengthening preparedness and prevention measures in unaffected areas. On the back of this, the World Health Organization (WHO) has stepped in to support Ghana’s fight against cholera by donating essential logistics to the Ghana Health Service (GHS).
The logistics which included medical supplies, personal protective equipment, water purifying supplies, test kits, among others were delivered to the Ghana Health Service. These are vital for enhancing early diagnosis, improve case management and reduce the risk of health worker infection while treating the cholera cases. They also bolster Ghana’s preparedness efforts in managing outbreaks effectively.
This donation was made possible through the generous support of the Government of Germany, whose contribution plays a crucial role in strengthening Ghana’s capacity to respond to cholera outbreaks and enhance its public health emergency preparedness efforts.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Dr. Frank Lule, Officer in Charge for WHO Ghana, highlighted the importance of the donation. He said, “Cholera is a preventable and treatable disease, but its rapid transmission makes it a serious threat to public health. This donation of test kits is part of WHO’s commitment to supporting Ghana in its efforts to prevent and manage cholera outbreaks. Early detection is key to saving lives and curbing the spread, and the test kits will significantly enhance Ghana’s response capacity.”
The Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, expressed gratitude to WHO for its continued support, emphasizing the critical role of partnerships in addressing public health challenges. “As Ghana faces multiple health emergencies, this timely donation of cholera logistics will help us strengthen our surveillance and response efforts. WHO’s support, in addition to what we already have, reinforces our capacity to provide early and effective treatment, ultimately saving lives”, he stated.
The logistics will be distributed to regions reporting cases and those at risk, ensuring equitable access to the logistics for effective outbreak response. This initiative underscores WHO’s role as a dependable partner in Ghana’s journey toward building a resilient health system capable of addressing both ongoing and emerging public health threats.
As Ghana responds to cholera and other health emergencies, the collaboration between WHO and the GHS remains a cornerstone of the nation’s strategy to safeguard public health and achieve its health objectives.
