The Minority in Parliament has issued an urgent call to the Akufo-Addo government to tackle the escalating cholera outbreak that is claiming lives across the country.
The diarrheal disease, which has already spread to multiple regions, has resulted in numerous fatalities and continues to pose a significant public health threat.
At a press conference on Friday, December 20, 2024, the Ranking Member on the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, underscored the severity of the crisis.
He revealed that over 2,039 cases were recorded in November alone, with alarming daily updates.
“Just three days ago, on December 17, the Western Region recorded 123 cases and 15 deaths in a single day. Even healthcare workers are not spared, with 15 of them infected while caring for patients in the region,” Akandoh disclosed.
The Ranking Member criticized the government for its lack of preparedness and systemic neglect, which he argued had worsened the outbreak.
“This outbreak, which should have been controlled weeks ago, continues to escalate due to inefficiency and neglect,” he stated.
The Minority also pointed to inefficiencies in the distribution of critical life-saving resources donated by the World Health Organization (WHO) on November 28, 2024.
Akandoh lamented that bureaucratic delays have impeded the swift deployment of these vital supplies to affected areas.
He noted hat many health facilities are now reliant on donations from corporate organizations and philanthropists for essential supplies like fluids and beddings, calling it “a clear indication of the administration’s failure to prepare for public health emergencies.”
The Minority stressed the need for immediate interventions, including resource allocation, public education, and support for healthcare workers, to curb the cholera outbreak and prevent further loss of lives.
Akandoh called on the Health Promotion Unit of the Ghana Health Service to launch an intensive public awareness campaign on cholera prevention.
He also urged President Akufo-Addo to take decisive action during the transitional period, stating, “Ghanaian lives matter. The President must act decisively to curb this outbreak and not abdicate his responsibilities.”
The Minority warned that failure to act swiftly could result in a full-blown epidemic before the next administration assumes office.
Akandoh cautioned that the apparent neglect of public health responsibilities, which contributed to the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) electoral losses, must not be exacerbated by continued inaction in addressing this health crisis.
He urged citizens to practice good hygiene and sanitation while calling on authorities to intensify community-level awareness campaigns to combat the outbreak effectively.
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