A few dozen people get sick, health workers attempt to locate and test everyone with a bad cough and other symptoms.

A concerted effort is made to make sure that patients take their medications for the entire duration of treatment, at least six months, to help stem the creation of drug-resistant infections.

The problem is that Western Kenya has a high burden of HIV infections, which makes the communities more vulnerable to TB infections.

People living with HIV are more than 14 times more likely to fall ill with TB disease than people without HIV.

Other locations — like the communities on the Uganda shores of Lake Victoria, Copperbelt Province in Zambia, Eastern Cape Province in South Africa, or Enugu State in Nigeria — have this vulnerability.

Of the 30 countries that the World Health Organization identified as having a high burden of TB and HIV co-infections, 22 are located in sub-Saharan Africa.

South Africa, India, Nigeria, Mozambique, and Kenya tragically have the most co-infections globally.

HIV is not like TB. While TB treatment takes six long months, this is a curable disease. HIV, on the other hand, cannot be cured.

It can, however, be kept in check through medicine that suppresses the infection. The virus attacks the immune system, allowing other diseases like TB, kept in check by the immune system, to strengthen.

In fact, TB is the leading cause of death for people living with HIV infections.

This is where partnerships with foreign donors can make a difference, with resources for programs that have located people living with HIV and then provided them with proper medicines.

These programs help keep infections in check, preventing HIV from spreading and preventing other infections like TB from becoming more widespread.

Similar programs help locate people with TB and provide them with medicines throughout the six months of treatment.

The trend right now is to disrupt these partnerships and cut foreign aid, unraveling the safety net that addresses HIV and TB.

This places regions like Western Kenya at extreme risk from two contagious diseases that do not respect national borders.

If they are not contained in even one location, we run the risk of the contagion spreading.

There are so many ways that this situation can be improved, in sub-Saharan Africa and throughout the Global South.

We need new medicines for TB, to shorten the treatment time and make it easier for patients to take the drugs.

We need medicines that can cure HIV instead of just keeping the infections in check.

We also need vaccines to prevent both of these infections. The only available TB vaccine, BCG, dates back to 1921.

It protects babies and young children against severe forms of TB, but it offers inadequate protection for adolescents and adults against the most common form of the disease.

There is no vaccine to prevent HIV, although new prevention methods have been identified and need development and distribution.

This is my work as a scientist, helping to develop solutions for infectious diseases that are barely held in check, if at all — even as the systems that address these diseases have just lost significant funding.

There is no disagreement that foreign aid makes a difference; more resources are needed, not less.

An estimated US$22 billion is required annually for TB diagnostic, treatment and prevention services by 2027.

Yet only US$5.7 billion was available in 2023. Governments in both the Global South and Global North need to provide more resources.

Global funding for neglected disease basic research and product development has declined by more than 20% since it peaked in 2018.

As of 2023, high-income countries provided 59% of all funding; those numbers are now expected to drop further this year.

It would be great to see low- and middle-income countries generating more research that tackles diseases like TB and HIV, and we are on the path to doing so, but we are still unfortunately at the beginning stages of this journey.

Today, progress against these diseases stands at the edge of a precipice as governments face impossible decisions on where to channel diminishing resources.

The funding for this work does not turn on like a switch if foreign aid from high-income countries is suddenly discontinued.

We have already lost so much ground during the COVID-19 pandemic.

An estimated 700,000 TB deaths stemmed from the disruptions caused by the pandemic. Less than half of all people infected with drug-resistant TB received treatment in 2023.

And now we risk losing the ground that we have made up since COVID.

It is important that the Global South and Global North continue to work together, finding solutions to these diseases that keep too many parts of society vulnerable.

The world will always be connected.

Solutions to these diseases benefit us all.

This article is written by Dr. Monicah Otieno, PhD, Head of Nonclinical Development, Gates Medical Research Institute

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This concern was raised during the Authority’s annual review conference in Sunyani.

Bono Regional NHIA Manager, Joseph Mensah, expressed concern over the persistent practice of healthcare providers imposing unauthorized fees on insured patients.

“These unlawful charges discourage individuals from renewing their health insurance cards, which ultimately impacts our operations and efforts to ensure accessible healthcare,” he stated.

Speaking at the conclusion of the 2024 Bono Regional NHIA Annual Review Conference, Mr. Mensah emphasized the negative effects of these fees on healthcare access and reaffirmed the NHIA’s commitment to addressing these challenges.

Despite these setbacks, the NHIA achieved 94% of its membership target for the year, enrolling 1 million people out of a goal of 1.1 million.

The Bono Region ranked second nationwide in universal health coverage, with over 74% of its population insured—marking a significant milestone for the region.

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They are calling on the government to intervene urgently.

The In-Charge and Physician Assistant of the health centre, Duah Joseph, revealed that the weighing centre and Out-Patient Department (OPD) are in a severe state of disrepair, posing a serious risk to both staff and patients, especially as the rainy season approaches.

He explained that due to the aging nature of these structures, essential materials such as wood, roofing, and blocks have significantly weakened.

Without urgent renovations or the construction of new facilities, he warned that the situation could have disastrous consequences.

Additionally, he highlighted the lack of staff accommodation, which has made it difficult for healthcare workers to secure housing, further affecting service delivery.

Meanwhile, the Executive Director of Tim Africa Aid Ghana, Isaac Kwabena Kakpeibe, who recently commissioned a new washroom for the centre, has appealed to local chiefs and residents to support efforts to improve the facility.

He also urged the community to take good care of infrastructure provided by NGOs to encourage further assistance.

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Officials at Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), a leading health agency on the continent, have said they are worried as the missing patients risk spreading the highly contagious disease that is suspected to have killed at 900 people in DR Congo last year.

The patients fled from facilities in Goma and Bukavu – two cities that descended into chaos as they were seized by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels over the past weeks.

“We were looted. We lost equipment. It was a disaster,” Dr Samuel Muhindo, in charge of a clinic in Goma, told the BBC.

Mpox – formerly known as monkeypox – can cause symptoms such as lesions, headaches and fever.

According to Africa CDC, since the start of this year almost 2,890 mpox cases and 180 deaths have been reported in the country, which has been at the epicentre of several recent outbreaks.

Dr Muhindo described how 128 patients had fled Goma’s Mugunga health centre in the wake of the fighting at the end of January.

His health workers had not been able to trace them as paperwork at the clinic was destroyed, he said.

At Bisengimana, a hospital in Goma that also treats mpox, looters took medicines and personal protective equipment.

Fires were lit outside the centre and when the perpetrators departed, patients’ medical records were left strewn on the floor.

The situation has been further complicated by the M23’s decision to close a network of camps in Goma where tens of thousands of people who had sought refuge from fighting in recent years.

They were given 72 hours to leave last week, although the M23 later said it was encouraging “voluntary returns”.

“Now we are afraid of an outbreak of the epidemic in the areas where the displaced people returned to,” Dr Muhindo said.

His fears have been echoed by the Africa CDC.

“Once again, we are calling really for the ceasefire and also the agency to establish a humanitarian corridor to facilitate the continuation of mpox interventions,” Dr Ngashi Ngongo, Africa CDC’s mpox incident manager, said on Thursday.

Over the last week, the Africa CDC says the number of missing mpox patients has risen by 100 as fighting escalates and the rebels take more territory.

Dr Ngongo added that a new variant of mpox with “high potential for higher transmissibility” had also been detected in DR Congo.

The country’s ability to respond to the disease has been hampered by the conflict, between the M23 and DR Congo’s army, as well as a lack of funding.

The mpox facility at Mugunga, funded by the UN children’s agency (Unicef) and UK Aid Direct, managed to reopen last week.

But it is already so overstretched that there are times when four or five patients have to share one bed.

“I first fled from Minova to Goma when the M23 rebels began to advance from there,” Sadiki Bichichi Aristide, a 23-year-old being treated at Mugunga along with two of his children, told the BBC.

“I began to fall sick in a [camp for displaced people]. It started with my fingers, and then I had lesions, which began to rupture on my hands. My neighbours told me to go to Mugunga with my children. I left my wife behind.”

He said he had seen “so many” people with mpox before he arrived at the clinic last week.

Dr Oummani Rouafi, Unicef’s Goma health specialist, told the BBC that the only reason Mugunga hospital had reopened was because staff had managed to hide some equipment and medicine from the looters.

But this had not been the case at many other treatment centres that had been completely ransacked, he said.

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GHANET has described the President’s message as reassuring and therapeutic.

In a statement, the network acknowledged that Mahama’s assurance during the State of the Nation Address(SONA) was the third time in two weeks.

The funding, as outlined in the USAID Foreign Assistance Discretionary Request Report, was meant to support key sectors such as health, economic growth, education, and governance.

Since 2007, Ghana has benefited from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), an initiative designed to combat HIV/AIDS and provide care for affected individuals.

With the latest funding cut, efforts to provide antiretroviral therapy, testing, and prevention programs will face significant challenges.

However, GHANET has expressed concern over the potential shortage of antiretroviral (ARV) medications, especially if the government takes full responsibility for procurement.

“This fear is heightened by recent happenings where even donated ARVs were nonchalantly abandoned at the ports for several months,” the statement said.

GHANET has therefore urged the government to operationalise the National HIV and AIDS Fund (NHAF), which was initiated in 2016 under the previous Mahama administration but stalled after a change in government.

The organisation emphasised that the absence of the fund had significantly affected HIV awareness campaigns, leading to a new generation with little knowledge of the disease.

“It therefore did not come as a surprise when the country recorded 17,700 new infections and 12,500 AIDS-related deaths in 2023 alone,” GHANET noted.

The group also called for local production of ART medications and HIV-related commodities, citing Ghana’s existing capacity for ARV manufacturing since 2005.

GHANET believes this could not only meet local demand but also serve neighbouring West African countries with high PLHIV populations.

The network has further appealed to the Ministers for Finance and Health to ensure that President Mahama’s commitment is reflected in the 2025 budget.

The group urged the government to fulfil the Abuja Declaration’s requirement for African nations to allocate at least 15% of their national budgets to health.

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The initiative was announced during a dissemination meeting on universal nutrition and health coverage held in Kumasi, aimed at improving maternal and child health through sustainable nutrition systems.

Speaking to Adom News, Olivia Timpo, Deputy Director of Nutrition at GHS, expressed concern over the rising cases of anemia despite efforts to promote good health practices.

She noted that while exclusive breastfeeding rates have declined, anemia prevalence remains high, necessitating intensified education on proper nutrition.

To address the issue, she revealed that counseling units have been established at health facilities to provide guidance on nutrition and anemia prevention.

The campaign aims to raise awareness and encourage healthier dietary habits to reduce the risk of anemia-related complications among vulnerable groups.

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The campaign will target children from newborns to five years old in select areas of Greater Accra, spanning nine districts in the region.

It is scheduled to run from February 27 to March 2, 2025, with health professionals reaching out to various locations, including homes, lorry stations, markets, schools, and churches, to ensure comprehensive coverage.

Deborah Noble-Yorke, the Health Promotion Officer in the Ablekuma South District, confirmed the campaign in an interview with Adom News.

She emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “We are committed to ensuring that every child is protected from polio, and this campaign is critical in reaching those who may have missed out during last year’s efforts.”

Noble-Yorke also noted that the previous campaign faced challenges, with some schools and parents refusing to allow health professionals to vaccinate their children, leaving some children unvaccinated. This has led to the reinitiation of the campaign.

“The success of this campaign depends on the cooperation of parents, school leaders, and community members,” Noble-Yorke urged. “We urge all parents to bring their children forward for the vaccination. It is essential for the well-being of our children and for the collective health of our communities.”

The districts included in the vaccination drive are Ablekuma North, Ayawaso West, Ayawaso North, Adentan, Ga Central, Ga South, and Tema West.

Noble-Yorke reassured the public that the Ghana Health Service remains committed to providing high-quality healthcare, aligned with the Ministry of Health’s goals and the President’s vision to improve public health in the country.

Parents are strongly encouraged to support the campaign and ensure their children are vaccinated against polio, a potentially life-threatening disease.

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Speaking in Parliament, Akandoh highlighted the rising consumption of these substances, particularly tramadol, and emphasized that addressing the issue remains a top priority for the Ministry.

He assured that the government is intensifying inter-agency collaboration and implementing stricter measures to combat the menace.

According to him, robust actions are being taken, with arrests already underway to crack down on the illegal distribution of such drugs.

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According to the minister, the repair followed a visit to the hospital, where he was informed that the plant was in a critical state.

The situation posed a threat to oxygen production and supply to surgical theatres, intensive care units, and wards, which could have been severely impacted if not addressed urgently.

In a Facebook post on Sunday, Dr. Boamah assured that the issue had been resolved following a directive from President John Dramani Mahama.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to improving human security, stating, “President John Dramani Mahama is serious about his commitment to reset Ghana, and human security will remain essential to the operations of his National Security outfit.”

Highlighting the hospital’s broader role, he noted, “The 37 Military Hospital also supplies oxygen to the National Ambulance Service.”

“I’m excited to announce that, on the president’s instructions, the Ministry of Defence, in collaboration with the National Security Coordinator, has resolved the issue.”

“New equipment has been purchased and installed, ensuring continuous oxygen production and supply for the 37 Military Hospital and the National Ambulance Service,” he stated.

Dr. Boamah commended the government’s swift intervention, which helped avert a potential crisis.

He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to addressing challenges, adding, “Thanks to our proactiveness, there will be no bad news. We’re committed to solving problems, including fixing the mismanaged economy.”

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While many remain skeptical about online relationships, Abishag and Hesron’s love story is proof that true connections can begin in the digital world.

Their journey started on Facebook, a platform that, surprisingly, had already played a significant role in their family’s love story.

Abishag’s elder sister also met her husband through the same social media platform, making online romance almost a family custom.

Although social media love stories may not be deeply rooted in Ghanaian tradition, this family’s experience challenges that notion. For them, Facebook is more than just a networking space—it’s a place where love flourishes.

Watch the video below

The meeting brings together stakeholders from Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire to discuss strategies for preventing and responding to the Mpox outbreak, as well as other diseases with epidemic potential.

The West African region has faced numerous public health challenges, including infectious disease outbreaks like Ebola, Lassa fever, measles, and COVID-19, which often transcend national borders.

This highlights the importance of cross-border collaboration in disease surveillance and response.

Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire share common borders, facilitating the movement of people, goods, and animals across these boundaries.

However, this proximity also increases the risk of infectious diseases spreading rapidly across borders, emphasizing the need for coordinated and collaborative approaches to disease surveillance.

Epidemiological data indicate the evolution of Mpox, as well as other public health events like meningitis, dengue fever, and cholera, in cross-border health districts.

Common challenges in these areas include insecurity, delayed test results, insufficient logistics, and limited treatment options.

To address these challenges, the World Health Organization’s International Health Regulations (IHR) emphasize the importance of cross-border collaboration to prevent the international spread of diseases.

By pooling resources and expertise, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire can optimize their efforts in disease surveillance, ensuring more comprehensive coverage and quicker responses to potential outbreaks.

Dr. Kwame Amponsah-Achiano, Head of Disease Control and Program Manager at the Ghana Health Service, stressed the significance of collaboration and knowledge sharing between the two countries.

He emphasized the need to analyze the epidemiological situation in both countries, share experiences, and develop a robust joint action plan.

Dr. Virgil Lokossou of the West African Health Organization (WAHO) also highlighted the importance of strengthening national epidemiological surveillance and response systems, particularly in cross-border areas.

WAHO aims to initiate a cross-border meeting in San Pedro, Côte d’Ivoire, to foster regional health security and safeguard the well-being of populations in both countries.

The high-level meeting brought together representatives from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH), and senior officials from the Ministry of Health.

Discussions focused on deepening the existing partnership in healthcare infrastructure, medical training, and strengthening health management capacity at the district and sub-district levels.

Ambassador Park Kyongsig emphasized Korea’s longstanding support for Ghana’s healthcare development, highlighting the importance of continued collaboration in maternal and child health, infectious disease control, and capacity building for healthcare workers.

He reiterated Korea’s commitment to strengthening Ghana’s health systems to ensure accessible and efficient medical services for all citizens.

Mr. Akandoh expressed gratitude for Korea’s unwavering support and acknowledged the impact of past and ongoing projects.

He cited key initiatives such as the construction of model Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) facilities, the enhancement of Ghana’s emergency medical services, improvements in hospital infrastructure, and training programs for healthcare professionals.

He also outlined policy priorities under the John Mahama administration, including the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, the provision of free primary healthcare, and the construction of regional hospitals in the newly created regions.

Representatives from KOICA and KOFIH detailed their ongoing projects in Ghana, including the construction of modern healthcare facilities, the provision of medical equipment, and specialized training programs for local healthcare practitioners.

They assured the Ministry of Health of their continued support in advancing Ghana’s health agenda.

The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both parties reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and exploring new opportunities to enhance Ghana’s healthcare system.

As Ghana advances toward Universal Health Coverage, Korea remains a valued partner in ensuring a resilient, efficient, and accessible health sector.

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For days, residents have struggled with a severe water shortage, forcing them to rely on the Waapu Dam, which has been deemed unwholesome. The situation is worsened by widespread open defecation, further contaminating water sources.

Food vendors, who depend on water tanker services, face heightened risks of contamination, raising concerns among health officials.

In response, environmental health officers, in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service, have launched a screening and vaccination exercise targeting food vendors to curb the spread of the disease.

Municipal Environmental Officer for Nanumba North, Alhassan Abdul Somed, said the initiative aims to immunize 700 food vendors, warning of consequences for those who fail to comply.

“Typhoid cases in the district are becoming alarming. That is why we are conducting the screening and educating the public to prevent further spread,” said Fusheini Lugman, the nurse leading the vaccination campaign.

Health officials have also intensified awareness campaigns, urging residents to adopt safe food and water consumption practices to help contain the outbreak.

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The outbreak, which began in Ada East, Greater Accra in October 2024, has since spread to coastal areas and parts of the Eastern and Ashanti regions.

Head of Prevention and Control at the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) Dr Kwame Amponsa-Achiano, told JoyNews that many of the victims died before reaching medical facilities.

“Many of the victims died before they could get to the hospital. They were waiting, thinking the diarrhoea would stop on its own,” he explained.

He outlined how the outbreak unfolded: “We first began recording cases in Ada East in October, after which the disease spread to Ada West before returning to Ada East. We later observed pockets of cases in other areas of Greater Accra, including Ga South, Kasoa, and Katamanso,” he said.

As the epicentre shifted, GHS intervened by implementing vaccination campaigns.

“When the epicentre moved from Ada East to Ada West, we had to step in and intervene. That’s when we launched the vaccination programme,” he added.

The situation worsened over the Christmas period, with a sharp rise in cases in the Western Region, particularly in Shama District and Takoradi.

“Around Christmas, we saw a significant increase in cases in the Western Region, especially in Takoradi and Shama District. The confirmed number of cases has now surpassed 6,000,” he stated. “While not all deaths have been officially confirmed as cholera-related, any outbreak with symptoms resembling diarrhoea is classified as cholera. Unfortunately, more than 40 people have lost their lives.”

Dr Amponsa-Achiano also emphasised the importance of addressing the root causes of cholera, particularly water and sanitation issues.

Once an outbreak occurs, we conduct thorough investigations, which include social mobilisation, health education, and communication” he noted.

“We are collaborating with local assemblies to enforce sanitation laws and ensure access to clean water. The vaccine is just one tool in our response,” he explained.

The primary issue is water and sanitation, and once we address that, we can tackle the root cause of cholera”.

He confirmed that vaccination efforts have been strengthened, particularly in endemic areas like Awutu Senya East in the Central Region.

“Vaccination is a vital tool, but we must also focus on addressing the underlying causes of the outbreak. We’ve already begun vaccination efforts in Awutu Senya East,” he concluded.

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The donation includes 8,400 doses of Ceftriaxone injection, 1,600 doses of Reception injection, 2,100 units of Ringers Lactate Injection, 2,100 units of Normal Saline, 12 packs of spinal needles, and 300 doses of Dexamethasone.

Speaking at the handing-over ceremony in Wa, Speaker Bagbin underscored the importance of personal health, stating, “It’s your wealth, it’s your health. Any other thing is not yours.”

He also reaffirmed his support for the Upper West Caucus of MPs in tackling the epidemic.

The Upper West Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Damien Punguyire, revealed that all districts except Sissala West and Wa East have recorded cases, with the most recent outbreak in the Lawra District.

He emphasized that early detection and timely treatment are critical for survival.

“With all the support coming, first from the Minister of Health and now from the Right Honorable Speaker, we’re going to ensure that people do not die,” Dr. Punguyire assured.

He noted that many of the initial deaths were due to delayed medical attention, particularly among individuals without active health insurance.

The Ghana Health Service has since made meningitis treatment free, while health officials have intensified public awareness campaigns and training for healthcare workers.

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The cheque was presented by the Director-General of the NLA, Mohammed Abdul Salam, to the Upper West Regional Minister, Charles Lwanga Puozuing.

According to Mr. Abdul Salam, the donation forms part of the NLA’s corporate social responsibility, given the severity of the outbreak.

“This donation of GH₵100,000 should serve as a booster for the health team in the region to get a handle on the situation,” he stated.

The Regional Minister expressed gratitude to the Good Causes Foundation, the charity arm of the NLA, for the support, emphasizing that the funds would aid in treating affected individuals and saving lives.

He revealed that the outbreak has so far claimed 14 lives, with over 70 cases diagnosed.

Mr. Puozuing further noted that the situation has worsened due to many residents lacking valid National Health Insurance cards.

He assured that the donation would be used to procure antibiotics for diagnosed patients, facilitate contact tracing, and support public education and sensitization efforts throughout the year.

Additionally, he announced plans to establish a fund, allowing interested individuals and organizations to contribute through the Upper West Regional Coordination Council.

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Not only does the 35-year-old fear for his own survival as he takes life-saving anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs – but he says he will have to split up from his wife as they can no longer have safe sex.

His partner is HIV-negative and relies on PrEP, a medicine that reduces the risk of contracting HIV.

“It means that even my marriage will end, because actually without the preventive measures, she’s not going to stay,” he told the BBC.

“No condoms, no [anti-HIV] lubricants, no PrEP, nothing. We can’t stay in marriage without meeting. It means that I have to stay single.”

All the couple’s medicines and contraceptives were supplied thanks to funding from the US government’s main overseas aid agency USAID.

Since the sudden shutdown, which he heard about on social media, they have not been able to replenish their supplies. His wife has completely run out of PrEP now and they are both afraid that relying just on condoms – they have some left – is too risky.

Trump ordered the 90-day pause on foreign aid on his first day back in office, after which stop-work orders began to be issued to organisations funded by USAID.

Waivers were subsequently issued for humanitarian projects, but by that time the HIV programme Mr Tusubira was part of – run out of Marpi Clinic in the north of the capital, Kampala – had closed.

He phoned his counsellor at the Kiswa Health Centre III in the city to find out what was going on.

“My counsellor was in the village. He told me that he is no longer at the clinic.”

The father of one, who tested positive for HIV in 2022, has since missed a test to determine how much virus is in his blood and the strength of his immune system.

“I’m moving in the dark, in the darkness. I don’t know whether my viral load is suppressed. I’m traumatised.”

He does not think his job driving a motorbike taxi – known locally as a “boda-boda” – will be able to help his family get over the hurdles they now face.

“Some other people say that the drugs will be in private pharmacies… as a boda-boda rider I don’t know whether I can raise the money to sustain my treatment.”

They have also been impacted by the loss of services provided by non-government organisations (NGOs) that received funding from USAID, he says.

His wife was getting her PrEP via an NGO at Marpi and his five-year-old son was benefitting from one that provided school and food for vulnerable children.

“My child is no longer at school now,” he said.

Uganda’s health sector is heavily reliant on donor funding, which supports 70% of its Aids initiatives.

The East African nation is among the top 10 recipients of USAID funds in Africa. According to US government data, the country received $295m (£234m) in health funding from the agency in 2023 – ranking third after Nigeria which received $368m and Tanzania with $337m.

USAID also supports its malaria, tuberculosis and leprosy programmes – as well as funding maternal and child health services and emergency health assistance.

Thousands of healthcare workers have been impacted by the US funding freeze.

Dr Shamirah Nakitto, a clinician with Reach Out Mbuya (Rom) – a faith-based community organisation providing medical and psychosocial support to people living with HIV in Uganda – was based at Kisenyi Health Centre IV, which serves a densely populated slum in Kampala.

On average, she attended to 200 patients with HIV/Aids and tuberculosis daily. But after the stop-work order, all Rom-supported health workers were laid off.

Its tuberculosis unit now stands silent and its orphans and vulnerable children section has also been shut at Kisenyi.

“We are waiting for the 90 days. So, this compulsory leave, I hadn’t prepared for it,” she told the BBC.

“It was so abrupt. We didn’t have a proper handover at the facility. We just stopped working.”

Uganda’s health ministry says it is exploring ways to minimise disruptions.

Dr Diana Atwine, the top civil servant at the ministry, urged staff “willing to continue working in the spirit of patriotism as volunteers” to get in contact.

Further south in Malawi, USAID-funded activities have also ground to a halt.

The country received $154m from USAID’s health budget in 2023, making it the 10th largest recipient in Africa.

In the northern city of Mzuzu, the gates are shut at a clinic that has been a key provider of HIV services in the region. Vehicles sit idle; there is no sign of activity at the Macro Mzuzu Clinic. Workers locked the doors, turned off the lights and went home 18 days ago.

Despite the US State Department’s waiver on 28 January allowing the delivery of medicine such as ARVs, many clinics have closed as without the critical staff who co-ordinate USAID’s activities, distributing medicines is a challenge.

Even where services are technically permitted to resume, many contracts remain in limbo. Health workers are unsure of what they can and cannot do.

The Trump administration plans to reduce USAID staff by more than 90%.

Atul Gawande, USAID’s former global health assistant administrator, posted on X that the agency’s workforce would be slashed from 14,000 to 294 – with only 12 staff assigned to Africa.

More than 30 NGOs in Malawi have also been severely impacted by the funding freeze.

Eddah Simfukwe Banda, a 32-year-old subsistence farmer, has been getting ARVs since 2017 from the Macro clinic, where various NGOs were providing HIV programmes.

She is worried about her own fate – and that of her sister-in-law, who also relies on donor-funded medication – and says they little option but to pray.

“We have to pray as Malawians. Those of us that believe depend on a God who opens doors when one is closed,” she told the BBC.

The mother of three, who has a three-week supply of ARVs left, also said systemic failures were to blame: “As Malawians, we depend too much on receiving aid. At times we are lazy and squander and rely on other countries to help us.

“Let this be a lesson that we have to be independent,” she said.

But this is difficult for one of the poorest and most aid-dependent countries in the world. According to the World Bank, Malawi is vulnerable to external shocks – including prolonged droughts, cyclones and erratic rainfall.

A disruption of this magnitude in its healthcare system presents an enormous challenge.

For decades, the US has been Africa’s most significant public health partner.

In particular through its ground-breaking programme to counter the global spread of HIV, which was launched in 2003. Called the US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (Pepfar), it has saved more than 25 million lives.

According to head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), USAID gave $8bn of aid assistance to Africa over the past year.

“Seventy-three per cent went to healthcare,” Jean Kaseya told BBC Newsday last month.

Health experts warn that replacing this funding will be extremely difficult.

African governments have made strides in reducing aid dependency. Kenya now funds nearly 60% of its HIV response. South Africa covers almost 80%.

But for many low-income nations, debt burdens, climate disasters and economic shocks make self-sufficiency nearly impossible.

Amref Health Africa, one of the leading health NGOs on the continent, warns that without urgent action, global health security is at risk.

“This would require African governments and Africa CDC to increase their own funding, which is almost impossible under the current debt distress conditions,” its CEO Dr Githinji Gitahi told the BBC.

“With accelerating outbreaks from climate change and human-environmental conflict, this would leave the world fragile and unsafe – not only for Africa but for everyone.”

Worldwide in 2023, there were 630,000 Aids-related deaths and 1.5 million new infections.

While infection rates have been declining in the worst-affected countries, the impact of the USAID shutdown could reverse these gains.

“If you take away this major contribution by the United States government, we expect that in the next five years, there’ll be an additional 6.3 million Aids-related deaths,” Winnie Byanyima, the head of UNAids, told the BBC’s Africa Daily podcast this week.

“There will be 8.7 million new infections, 3.4 million additional Aids orphans. I don’t want to sound like a prophet of doom, but I have a duty to give the facts as we see them.”

The medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has also warned of the dangers of interrupting HIV treatments.

“HIV medicines must be taken daily or people run the risk of developing resistance or deadly health complications,” Tom Ellman, from MSF Southern Africa, has said in a statement.

Back in Uganda, Mr Tusubira feels bleak about the future.

He has about 30 days left of his ARV medication – and may opt to leave Kampala and go home to his village after that.

“At least it will be a bit simpler. If I die, they just bury me there, instead of disturbing my people here in Kampala.

“Because I have no way I can live here without ARV services.”

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He particularly commended the effort of the Senior House Master in rushing the students who tested positive for meningitis.

He said the early intervention by the Senior House Master, Felix Sangyor, ensured that the student was attended to early by health professionals and is currently responding to treatment.

“Such sense of urgency should be the approach to all suspected cases of meningitis to reduce the fatality rate,” the Minister stated.

Visit, cases

The issue came to light when Mr Akandoh, together with the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, visited the Nadowli District Hospital last Wednesday where the National Rapid Response Team has been training the health workers on meningitis case management.

The visit also allowed the team to appreciate the challenges facing the health workers and how the ministry could assist them.

It was during the visit that the team met the student from Queen of Peace Secondary School who was on admission at the district hospital and was briefed about the incident.

The Nadowli District and the Wa Municipality have recorded the highest suspected cases of meningitis in the Upper West Region this year, with Nadowli recording 26 suspected cases with the Wa Municipality recording 22 cases.

The district also leads in fatality with five deaths out of seven confirmed cases, while Wa Municipal has recorded one death out of three confirmed cases.

As part of the intervention, Mr. Akandoh presented boxes of antibiotics to the Nadowli District Hospital for the treatment of CSM cases.

Brief

Briefing the team, Mr Sangyor said he was out of the school when he received a call that one of the students was not feeling well and needed medical attention.

He said the student was not feeling well some days earlier and was asked by his colleagues to visit the Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound but he did not go.

The senior housemaster said the initial plan was to carry the student on his motorbike to the district hospital, “But when I came and saw his condition, I had to hire a rickshaw to send him to the hospital.

“I thought we had lost him because his condition was so precarious. We just thank God for sparing his life,” he said.

While thanking and commending Mr. Sangyor for his proactiveness, he urged the school authorities to be innovative and take preventive measures to reduce the risk of exposure to the disease.

He said it should be possible to allow the students to sleep in the open particularly during this dry season to allow for ventilation in the dormitories.

“You know your situation best and if you need any advice, consult the medical doctors and the district directors of health and education, they will support you to provide a conducive environment for the students to study,” he said.

No closure

Although Nadowli is one of the districts with the highest reported suspected cases of meningitis, Mr Akandoh said the situation was not at that level where schools would be asked to close down.

He said the situation was still manageable and that people only needed to take precautionary measures and report early to health facilities for testing and treatment.

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This initiative, which begins Friday, 14th February, aims to immunise over 300,000 residents in the capital as part of urgent efforts to contain the spread of the life-threatening infection.

The nationwide cholera outbreak has already resulted in more than 4,000 reported cases across five regions—Greater Accra, Eastern, Central, Ashanti, and Western—prompting heightened concerns among health authorities and the public.

Tragically, over 40 lives have been lost due to the epidemic.

Cholera, a highly contagious bacterial infection, spreads primarily through contaminated food and water, leading to severe diarrhoea, dehydration, and, in extreme cases, fatal complications.

The outbreak has been linked to poor sanitation, inadequate access to clean drinking water, and unhygienic food handling practices.

Health experts caution that without immediate intervention, the situation could deteriorate further.

As part of the national response strategy, the Ministry of Health and GHS are deploying oral cholera vaccines (OCV) in high-risk communities.

The vaccine provides short-term protection against the disease and is particularly crucial in areas with inadequate potable water and sanitation facilities.

Authorities continue to urge the public to adhere to strict hygiene measures while vaccination efforts are underway.

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He noted that while the government and health-sector stakeholders had intensified measures to contain the situation, community members must also play their part by reporting early to health facilities when they develop Meningitis symptoms for timely detection, management, and treatment.

The minister stated that no death had been recorded in the past week, adding, “I am excited that the situation is under control.”

Mr. Akandoh made these remarks in Wa during a working visit to assess the Meningitis situation in the region.

He was accompanied by the Acting Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Professor Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, along with officials from the ministry and the Ghana Health Service.

The region has so far recorded 94 suspected cases of Meningitis across eight districts and municipalities, with 20 confirmed cases and 14 deaths. The Nadowli-Kaleo District and Nandom Municipality remain the epicentres of the disease.

Mr. Akandoh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling the outbreak, announcing that a rapid response team had been deployed to the region to support the health system, including staff training on Meningitis management.

He acknowledged that financial constraints had led to delayed reporting of symptoms such as neck stiffness, coughing, and sneezing.

As part of efforts to address the situation, the government has introduced free treatment for people in affected districts who have active health insurance cards and exhibit Meningitis symptoms.

The minister also presented boxes of antibiotics to the Nadowli-Kaleo Health Directorate to aid in Meningitis treatment and management.

During his visit, he interacted with health staff at the Regional and Nadowli-Kaleo District Health Directorates, as well as personnel at the Upper West Regional Hospital and the Nadowli District Hospital.

He commended the health workers for their dedication and urged them to remain committed to the fight against Meningitis.

“If we all put our heads together, we can create a strong health system in the country,” he said.

“We will continue to do our best to ensure the smooth running of facilities to contain the situation. What is very important is that the number of deaths is drastically reducing,” he added.

Mr. Akandoh also cautioned health workers against negative attitudes towards patients, warning that those found culpable would face sanctions.

The team later visited the Queen of Peace Senior High School in Nadowli, where Meningitis cases had been recorded, to engage with school management on prevention and control measures.

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The office cautioned that the bodies of cholera casualties were highly infectious and could lead to an epidemic if not handled properly.

Mr Emmanuel Owusu Ashia, a Regional Environmental Health Officer in charge of Hygiene Promotion, entreated families to collaborate with environmental health officers to bury the deceased without delay.

“When somebody dies of cholera, we shouldn’t wait for one or two weeks. They must be buried quickly.

“When a family loses a relative through cholera, they should contact the environmental health division to help them with the disinfection of the body before burial. That is done to prevent the rest of the family from contracting the disease,” he said.

Mr Ashia issued the caution when he facilitated a training session on risk communication for some 30 health officers in the Cape Coast Metropolis in the wake of the cholera outbreak.

The training was organised by the Cape Coast Metropolitan Health Directorate as part of practical measures to combat the cholera outbreak.

Cape Coast has so far recorded six confirmed cases and two suspected cases of cholera, all of which are being managed by the Cape Coast Metro Hospital.

Mr Ashia warned that cholera was very deadly and entreated the public to practice frequent handwashing and consume only treated water to prevent the disease.

For his part, Mr Samuel Kwabena Ofosu, the Cape Coast Metro Director of Health Services, clarified that nobody had died of cholera in Cape Coast yet as speculated by a section of the media.

He said the test results of a person who showed symptoms of cholera and later died came out negative.

Mr Ofosu gave assurance of the commitment of the Directorate to fight the outbreak head-on, explaining the essence of the workshop.

He announced that five different teams had been constituted and deployed to various areas to educate and sensitise the people, carry out disinfections in communities where cases had been recorded and undertake contact tracing.

“Because of our history with cholera outbreak within the Metropolis, we don’t want to take any chance. We want to as soon as possible, control the disease so that it doesn’t travel beyond our capacity,” he added.

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The outbreak, which began in October 2024, has spread to 36 districts across Greater Accra, Central, Western, Eastern, and Ashanti regions.

In a statement, the EU announced that its financial assistance would enable the Ghana Red Cross Society (GRCS) to provide chlorine for disinfection, handwashing devices, and public health education.

By the end of December 2024, the Ghana Health Service had recorded 4,850 suspected cases and 35 deaths, despite vaccination efforts.

The outbreak has been linked to poor hygiene, inadequate sanitation, and heavy rains exacerbating drainage issues.

The relief efforts will focus on high-risk areas, including displacement camps and informal settlements, the statement noted.

The EU expects the funding to benefit 150,000 individuals at high risk of cholera transmission due to limited access to clean water and sanitation.

The EU’s support is part of its broader contribution to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Through a €14.5 million humanitarian agreement with the IFRC, the EU replenishes the DREF to address small-scale disasters that do not trigger a formal international appeal.

The EU and its members are the world’s leading humanitarian aid providers. Through its Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department, it assists millions of victims of conflict and natural disasters.

Additionally, under its Global Gateway flagship initiative, the EU is contributing €40 million to support Ghana’s vaccine manufacturing development.

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This initiative is part of efforts to combat and prevent the spread of cholera, particularly among children in various parts of the Greater Accra Region.

The campaign, set to run from February 14 to 17, 2025, is a national effort to control and prevent the spread of cholera, especially in high-risk areas.

Health Promotion Officer at the Ablekuma South District, Deborah Noble-Yorke, explained that the vaccination will be targeted at children in specific districts identified as priority areas.

These include Ablekuma South, Okaikwei South, and Ashiedu Keteke, all within the Accra Metropolitan area.

Speaking to Adom News, Noble-Yorke emphasized the importance of the campaign, stating,
“We are focusing on high-risk areas, and we want to ensure that children in these districts are vaccinated to prevent the spread of cholera to other parts of the region.”

She also clarified that the campaign will not include pregnant women, as they are not eligible for the vaccination.

Vaccination teams will be deployed to various public spaces such as schools, markets, and bus stations across Greater Accra to ensure maximum coverage and accessibility for families.

She noted that the initiative aims to make the vaccine readily available to children in a variety of community settings.

The Ghana Health Service is urging all parents to ensure their children participate in this essential vaccination effort to help curb the ongoing cholera risk in the region.

Noble-Yorke further appealed for public cooperation, stating,
“We encourage all parents to take part in this important initiative and protect their children from the dangers of cholera.”

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As of September 2024, out of the total 11,401 Persons Living with HIV and AIDS in the region, 8,481 were females, while 2,727 were males.

Mr. Emmanuel Obeng-Hinneh, the Bono Regional HIV Coordinator of the GHS, who disclosed the figures, added that all PLwHAs were currently on treatment.

He was speaking at a stakeholder meeting in Sunyani, organized by the Bono Regional office of the Technical Support Unit of the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) in collaboration with the Bono Regional Coordinating Council.

The meeting aimed to identify gaps and opportunities to strengthen the regional HIV response and provided a common platform for stakeholders to share ideas, identify challenges, and find lasting solutions to improve HIV prevention, treatment, and care.

Mr. Obeng-Hinneh also highlighted the Viral Load (VL) testing trend, stating that out of the 9,791 clients eligible for testing, 8,177 samples had been taken, with 6,270 tests conducted.

The VL testing coverage stood at 64 percent, with an 88 percent VL suppression rate, he stated.

Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim Bambilla, the Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo Regional Technical Coordinator of the GAC, urged stakeholders to continue supporting the Commission in effectively responding to the HIV trend in the region.

He reaffirmed the GAC’s commitment to supporting NGOs in undertaking HIV prevention measures and programs to help curb the spread of the disease.

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He knew something was wrong, and that he had two options – go to a hospital or believe the rumours that were circulating in his community and stay home.

“I knew I was infected, but the fear was overwhelming,” the 32-year-old truck driver told Al Jazeera about the epidemic that lasted four months and killed 55 people.

His fear stemmed from conspiracy theories that patients treated in the community were being injected with substances that killed them instantly.

It took him two days to realise no one was being killed and some were even recovering. After that, “I personally called an ambulance to pick me up,” he says.

The 2022 health crisis was Uganda’s seventh outbreak of Ebola – a highly infectious hemorrhagic disease – and its fifth of the Sudan virus (SVD) strain, which has a more than 40 percent fatality rate.

Kayiwa – one of 142 confirmed cases that time – was lucky to survive, though many others were not.

Now, just two years later, on January 30, 2025, Uganda announced its latest Sudan Ebola outbreak. The Ministry of Health identified a 32-year-old male nurse who had died as the first documented case. He was an employee at Mulago National Referral Hospital, the country’s top medical facility.

The nurse initially developed fever-like symptoms and sought treatment at two health facilities in the greater Kampala area and another in eastern Uganda, near the Kenyan border.

While there is no approved vaccine for the Sudan Ebola strain, a vaccine for the Zaire Ebola strain – which caused the 2013-2016 West Africa epidemic that killed more than 11,000 people – was developed and approved in 2022.

The Zaire strain, which was first discovered in 1976 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (then known as Zaire), is the most lethal of the four ebolaviruses in existence.

“In the absence of licensed vaccines and therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of SVD, the risk of potential serious public health impact is high,” the World Health Organization (WHO) said about the current outbreak in Uganda.

According to the WHO, Ebola symptoms appear between two and 21 days after infection, and can include fever, severe headache, muscle pain, fatigue, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, and bleeding from the nose, gums, ears and eyes.

As it is highly infectious, patients have to be isolated and treated. Medical workers handling Ebola patients are also required to wear full personal protective equipment, adhere to strict hygiene protocols, and handle dead bodies safely to avoid infection.

While the disease itself is a huge challenge for the continent, this is compounded by other stumbling blocks, experts say, including traditional beliefs, witchcraft, and conspiracy theories that often impede Ebola treatment and control.

In Uganda, the Ministry of Health said the nurse who died last month had visited a traditional healer.

His relatives also reportedly attempted to exhume his body to rebury it in accordance with Muslim faith dictates. However, this poses serious risks as bodies can still be infectious for a period after death.

When a friend of Kayiwa’s contracted Ebola in 2022 before he did, they believed he had been bewitched, and their first option was to take him to traditional healers.

They also thought he was suffering from an illness known locally as “Ettalo”, which causes unexplained pain, and tried local herbal medicine to cure it.

Deeper conspiracy theories also prevailed during the 2022 outbreak, which started in Mubende District, an area about 160km (100 miles) from Kampala famous for artisanal gold mining.

“When we first heard about the outbreak, it was linked to the Kassanda-Mubende gold mines,” Kayiwa says. “Many people, including myself, thought it was a plot by officials to drive out the artisanal miners and take over the mining areas.”

Lack of communication

The current outbreak, however, has come with new challenges.

Key among them appears to be a lack of clear communication from government authorities about the outbreak; pushback from businesses, especially in the tourism sector, who argue that the way the outbreak was announced hurts the industry; and hesitancy among some people exposed to the virus to accept a new vaccine, which has been offered for trial.

At an event to officially launch the vaccine trial last Monday, Dr Daniel Kyabayinze, the director of public health at the Ministry of Health in Uganda, along with other officials, including representatives from the WHO, would not provide details on the Ebola outbreak.

Kyabayinze said authorities “are going to be releasing the status of the outbreak in a format that is separate from the vaccination process”. He argued that discussing Ebola status updates alongside the vaccine trial would lead to a “mix-up [of] messages”, which he deemed inappropriate.

Officials said the minister of health would hold a media event later that day to give an update. But that did not happen.

Emmanuel Ainebyona, a Health Ministry spokesperson, said he had no status update to share and referred Al Jazeera to high-ranking officials in the ministry. The officials did not answer repeated phone calls.

Since the outbreak was announced, the government has provided no further communication. Minister of Health Jane Ruth Aceng told journalists on Wednesday that updates would be given fortnightly rather than daily.

“Don’t ask us for case numbers every day – that is not important. What is important is that you go to the communities, tell them they need to protect themselves, and ensure they pass on information,” she said.

Without providing specifics, she added: “The update is that we have Ebola cases in the country. They are receiving treatment and improving.”

Pushback from tourism sector

From the onset, the way the current outbreak was communicated elicited sharp criticism from Uganda’s tourism industry.

Amos Wekesa, a prominent businessman in the tourism sector, posted on X criticising the government for poor strategic communication and arguing that the Ebola outbreak story had been widely covered by international media, leading to travel advisories being issued against Uganda. Countries including the United States, United Kingdom and Mauritius urged their citizens to take precautions while travelling to the country.

“Many countries might target Ugandans,” he said, adding that life was continuing as normal in Kampala.

“There will never be a disease outbreak or any attack that will ever kill more Ugandans than poverty, ” he said in a separate post on X.

Martin Mugara, Uganda’s junior minister for tourism, said on a local radio station last Saturday, “I was a bit shocked that they communicated the way they did,” referring to the Ministry of Health’s announcement of the Ebola outbreak.

Muhereza Kyamutetera, CEO of the Uganda Tourism Association, said in an interview that there is a need for “coordinated conversation and communication” before announcing health outbreaks.

“The moment news of an epidemic outbreak goes public, the next day, tour companies start receiving emails for cancellations and refund requests,” Kyamutetera said.

He explained that the Ebola outbreak would affect the tourism sector for the entire year and, combined with previous incidents, affect the country’s reputation as a travel destination for years to come.

“The reputation of the destination is the most important thing,” he said. He added that many international travellers may not be aware of Uganda’s experience in handling Ebola outbreaks.

Though at first hesitant to wade into what he described as a controversial debate, Kyabayinze, the director of public health, told Al Jazeera last week that international health regulations require every country to report any outbreak of a disease that poses a significant threat to the global community as per WHO requirements.

“Uganda announcing the outbreak was critical and important and I think we did the right thing,” he said. However, he hastened to add they “don’t want to disrupt travel, trade and tourism.”

Vaccine hesitancy

The WHO praised the speed at which Uganda was able to launch a randomised vaccine trial during an emergency Ebola outbreak last week.

In a statement, the organisation said the trial, which began in Uganda just four days after the outbreak was confirmed, is the first-ever one to assess the clinical efficacy of a vaccine against Ebola disease caused by the Sudan virus.

Despite more than half of the identified contacts of the first Ebola fatality being health workers and patients from the national referral hospital, only one person received the trial vaccine last Monday. The trial itself was being conducted at the same referral hospital.

An official involved in the vaccination process told Al Jazeera that one contact who had initially agreed to receive the trial vaccine later changed his mind. There were hopes that the individual could still be convinced to take the vaccine without media presence.

Dr Bruce Kirenga, principal of Makerere University College of Health Sciences and executive director of the Makerere University Lung Institute, who is leading the vaccine trials, acknowledged that vaccine hesitancy remains a challenge.

“My job is to remove this hesitancy. I did it for COVID, and I will do it now,” he said.

“What causes hesitancy is a lack of information. We are going to provide people with the information they need, and they will understand the importance of participating,” he added.

What can be done better?

Freddie Ssengooba, a public health professor at Makerere School of Public Health, said while the competence of the government to handle the epidemic is not in question, the public deserves more information, especially on measures and how they should behave.

“There is an information gap, we are all anxious to know what is happening.”

Meanwhile, survivors of previous Ebola outbreaks urge people to be cautious and not to believe in rumours or conspiracy theories that could put their lives and communities at risk.

During the time Kayiwa was in hospital in 2022, he says he witnessed many deaths, and the trauma of that stays with him.

“In the first room where I was first admitted, all the patients died,” he says. “Ebola is no joke.”

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According to the hospital, one person has died as a result of the outbreak, prompting immediate efforts to trace contacts and contain the spread of the disease.

Medical authorities have assured the public that proactive measures are being taken to prevent further infections.

Health officials revealed that all 29 confirmed cases originated from the same family in a particular area within Effutu.

This has raised concerns about possible environmental or sanitary conditions contributing to the outbreak.

To prevent further spread, a contact-tracing exercise has commenced, focusing on identifying individuals who may have been exposed to the disease.

Dr. Douglas Amponsah, Acting Medical Superintendent of the Winneba Municipal Hospital, stated that an isolation center has been set up to manage infected patients.

He emphasized that the hospital remains in control of the situation and that all affected individuals are receiving the necessary treatment.

“We have established a cholera isolation center due to the outbreak. So far, 29 cases have been confirmed out of 356 recorded cases,” he explained.

The doctor further disclosed that the majority of infections have emerged from a specific locality within Winneba, with children being the most affected.

He confirmed two deaths related to the outbreak—one occurring in October 2024 and the other in early 2025.

Despite these fatalities, he assured the public that most infected children were responding well to treatment, providing some hope amid the crisis.

Authorities have urged residents to practice strict hygiene measures, including regular handwashing and proper sanitation, to help curb the outbreak.

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Health authorities have expressed concern over the rising fatalities, attributing them to misdiagnoses, delays in seeking treatment, and the high cost of medical care.

In response to the worsening situation, regional health officials are intensifying efforts to contain the outbreak. Measures under consideration include providing free treatment for affected patients and launching public awareness campaigns to encourage early medical intervention.

Officials stress that prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial in preventing further deaths.

Dr. Damien Punguyire, the Regional Health Director, has linked the increasing fatalities to initial misdiagnoses, with many cases being mistaken for malaria.

He explained that improper treatments often delay the administration of appropriate care, leaving patients vulnerable to severe complications. “By the time individuals realize their condition is deteriorating, it is often too late,” he stated.

Dr. Punguyire emphasized the importance of early intervention, urging individuals experiencing prolonged fever, neck pain, or body aches to seek immediate medical attention.

He advised that those diagnosed with malaria should return to a health facility if their symptoms persist or worsen within 12 to 24 hours.

He also highlighted preventive measures, cautioning against overcrowding and recommending increased water intake to keep the throat moist and prevent cracks that could facilitate bacterial entry.

“With timely diagnosis and proper care, nobody should die from this disease,” he assured.

This took place at the Annual General and Scientific Meeting held at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel in Accra on Friday.

The host of Nyinsen Ne Awo) and Nkwa Hia was presented with a citation for her unwavering efforts in raising awareness, educating the public, and amplifying critical health issues, which have significantly contributed to improving the well-being of people.

The society acknowledged that this feat has been made possible through her Save Mother and Child Foundation (SMACH) as well as her impactful work in the media.

“Your humanitarian efforts in lending your voice to promote better healthcare access and quality services, raising funds for life-saving medical care, have brought hope to many vulnerable families. You have, over the years, worked tirelessly with members of the Paediatric Society of Ghana to educate the public on conditions affecting children on both Nkwa Hia and Nyinsen Ne Awo) on Adom TV and Adom FM,” they lauded.

Other awardees included Dr. Adziri Sackey, Dr. William Appeadu-Mensah, Prof. Afua A.J. Hesse, Joyce Mawuna Appaw, Prof. Alhassan Abdul-Mumin, Kwami Sefa Kayi, Albert Ankrah, Abigail Kontoh, and Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye.

The Paediatric Society of Ghana has a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1977. It has been a cornerstone in improving child health in Ghana for nearly five decades.

From its inception to its projected achievements by 2025, the society has consistently championed advocacy, education, research, and policy development, leaving a lasting impact on paediatric care in the country.

Below are some photos 

According to the Acting Director-General of GHS, Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, this proactive measure is aimed at protecting frontline workers and preventing the further spread of the disease.

The Central Region has recorded 14 cholera-related deaths, raising serious public health concerns.

Dr. Akoriyea also highlighted the significance of contact tracing, revealing that health authorities have already identified families closely linked to affected patients.

Speaking to Citi News after visiting cholera patients at the Winneba Municipal Hospital, he disclosed that a team will soon be deployed to schools and market centers to educate the public on cholera prevention and control measures.

“We need to boost the morale of health workers and ensure they continue providing care without fear. That’s why we have decided to start vaccinating health workers and the families of those already infected to prevent further transmission,” he stated.

He further stressed the urgency of vaccinations to limit the spread, adding, “Contact tracing can be challenging, so the key priority is vaccination to prevent an escalation.”

The GHS’s intervention is expected to enhance public health safety and reduce the impact of the cholera outbreak in the region.

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Five different AI platforms will be tested across 30 sites starting in April to determine whether the technology can speed up diagnoses and free up radiologists.

This announcement comes as the government launches a call for evidence to help shape its national cancer plan, which is due to be unveiled later this year.

AI is already being tested in various NHS applications, including cancer treatment delivery, managing waiting lists, and checking cancer scans. However, this is the largest trial to date focused on breast cancer.

Women who are already scheduled for routine NHS screenings will be invited to take part in the £11m Early Detection using Information Technology in Health (Edith) trial.

Screening is available to women aged 50 to 53, with subsequent screenings offered every three years until they turn 71. During appointments, mammograms—X-rays used to detect cancers too small to see or feel—are taken.

Step Forward

Currently, two radiologists are required to review each screening image to ensure accuracy. The hope is that AI will allow one radiologist to complete the process, enabling the other to see more patients and reduce waiting times.

Over two million mammograms are conducted annually under the screening programme, so the AI trial could significantly ease the workload for radiologists.

Department of Health and Social Care Chief Scientific Adviser, Prof. Lucy Chappell, said the study could represent a “significant step forward.”

Health Secretary Wes Streeting added that this trial should be just the beginning of a broader improvement in cancer care. He called for “urgent action” given that cancer survival rates in the UK lag behind other countries and promised to publish a national cancer plan aimed at positioning Britain as a global leader in saving lives from cancer.

As part of this plan, the government has launched a call for evidence, encouraging patients, staff, and experts to submit ideas via the Change NHS website.

However, the Royal College of Radiologists has raised concerns, stating that while AI has “immense potential,” the NHS is still 30% short of the radiologists it needs.

“This study will take time to yield results. The need to build radiology capacity remains urgent,” the College added.

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In recent years, Ghanaian health workers, particularly nurses, have increasingly migrated to seek better pay and working conditions abroad.

Speaking during his vetting before the Appointments Committee on Friday, January 31, Mr. Akandoh acknowledged the growing unemployment rate in Ghana’s health sector.

He emphasized the importance of fostering international partnerships to address the challenge.

“The unemployment situation among health professionals is alarming. The challenge largely stems from constraints on the wage bill.

“Therefore, we need to establish links with other countries to facilitate the migration of these professionals and create employment opportunities for them,” he said.

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Speaking during his vetting on Friday, January 31, 2025, Mr. Akandoh raised serious concerns about the terms of the agreement between the Ministry of Health and the company tasked with maintaining the country’s ambulance fleet.

“For the spare parts and the contract with the company maintaining Ghana’s ambulances, I have received a briefing on the issue. If approved by the committee, I am determined to investigate this matter thoroughly,” he said.

The nominee revealed that the same company had procured 307 ambulances for $41 million but was later awarded a five-year maintenance contract for the same fleet, worth $77 million—nearly double the initial procurement cost.

“This company was contracted to purchase 307 ambulances for $41 million. However, I have seen a contract showing that the ministry later signed a maintenance agreement worth $77 million over five years. The rate of vehicle deterioration does not justify such an amount. I intend to launch an investigation into this arrangement,” Mr. Akandoh asserted.

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All four targets, which include contributing to the global goal of eliminating predictable cholera epidemics, reducing the scale of cholera outbreaks by 50%, ensuring regular monitoring and evaluation, and adapting the regional cholera framework, are off track.

Fair progress was observed in targets 1 and 2, at 59% and 54%, respectively.

However, targets 3 and 4 show unsatisfactory or insufficient progress, at 39% and 43%, respectively. Overall, the region made fair progress with a completion rate of 53%.

One potential reason for this is the insufficient dissemination of the framework among key stakeholders at the national level.

The delayed implementation of the framework may explain the repeated cholera outbreaks in both endemic and non-endemic countries.

Out of the 47 countries in the region, 27 including 11 from West Africa (Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Togo), five from Central Africa (Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Chad), five from East Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania), and six from Southern Africa (Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe) participated in the study.

Twenty-four (89%) are cholera-endemic, with only three non-endemic countries (11%) taking part.

Ghana is one of 14 African countries that have made fair progress in implementing the regional framework for cholera prevention and control.

Along with Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Guinea, Mali, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Mozambique, South Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, and Zimbabwe, these nations represent 52% of the countries in the region that are making strides in addressing cholera.

Ten other countries, including Angola, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, South Africa, and Uganda, showed unsatisfactory or insufficient progress, accounting for 37% of the region.

Only three countries, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Zambia were on track, representing 11%. The overall progress among countries varied, with Mauritania and South Africa scoring as low as 19%, while Ethiopia achieved the highest progress at 76%.

The study titled, “An assessment of the progress made in the implementation of the regional framework for cholera prevention and control in the WHO African region,” published on BMJ Global Health also captured 21 key milestones critical to cholera elimination progressing much slower than the others. These key milestones are primarily spread across the first three targets.

Progress on regional milestones for cholera prevention and control

The region showed strong progress in four milestones, fair progress in seven, and insufficient or unsatisfactory progress in ten.

The four milestones that were on track included hotspot mapping at 85%, the establishment of a solid multisectoral and partner coordination mechanism at 79%, strengthened national capacities for cholera preparedness and response at 84%, and the implementation of functional epidemiological and laboratory surveillance systems at 79%.

The region made fair progress in 7 out of the 21 milestones.

These included appointing cholera focal points at the national level at 63%, developing cholera outbreak preparedness and response plans at 61%, enhancing cross-border surveillance at all levels at 52%, establishing rapid response teams for field investigations and risk evaluations at 63%, conducting risk assessments and mapping at 67%, strengthening specific capacities for cholera case management at 69%, and documenting challenges and lessons learned for decision-making at 63%.

The results indicate unsatisfactory or insufficient progress in 10 milestones across the region.

These milestones include the development of National Cholera Plans (NCPs) at 43%, with only six countries on track, funding of NCPs at 16%, with no country on track and mobilising the required technical and financial resources for cholera at all levels at 40%, with five countries on track, implementing multisectoral cholera prevention and control plans in all hotspots at 44%, and development of a comprehensive social mobilisation strategy and community-based interventions at 43%.

Others are maintaining WASH investment and operational costs in all affected hotspots and communities at 23%, ensuring water quality interventions in all hotspots and at-risk communities at 31%, with no country on track, development of investment cases for cholera at 14%, with no country on track, identifying monitoring and performance indicators and defining quality control mechanisms for planned interventions at 40%, and defining integrated quality control mechanisms for assessing the implementation of the framework at 41%.

Cholera remains a global threat

Cholera remains a major public health challenge globally, causing between 1.3 million and 4 million cases annually and resulting in 21,000 to 143,000 deaths each year.

The disease primarily affects countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and Asia, where it disproportionately impacts the poorest communities.

People living in areas with low socioeconomic status suffer the highest burden, clearly linking the occurrence of cholera with poverty, inadequate sanitation, and a lack of clean, safe drinking water.

A multifaceted approach is required to mitigate and control cholera transmission and reduce mortality effectively.

While cholera has been eliminated in regions such as Europe, North America, South America, and parts of Central America, thanks to improved access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene, it continues to cause recurrent outbreaks in Africa and Asia.

The Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GTFCC), established in 1992, has played a key role in coordinating global efforts to combat cholera.

In 2017, the GTFCC launched the “Ending Cholera: A Global Roadmap to 2030,” reaffirming its commitment to eliminating cholera worldwide.

Following this, in August 2018, 47 African countries adopted a regional framework at the WHO Regional Committee for Africa to implement the global roadmap.

The framework outlines a comprehensive strategy, including four key targets and 21 milestones, to guide member states in their efforts to control and prevent cholera.

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During his handing-over ceremony, Dr. Kuma-Aboagye expressed gratitude to his colleagues and called for their full support for Prof. Akoriyea.

He emphasized the importance of teamwork in sustaining progress within the health sector.

Prof. Akoriyea emphasized that his tenure would focus on resetting the system and ensuring that the government’s promises to Ghanaians in the health sector are fully implemented.

“I come here as an appointee of the President [John Mahama]. What we are going to do from now is enshrined in our manifesto and all that has to do with health, especially what the Ghana Health Service is tasked to do. That will be our mission, that is what we are here to do. Whatever the President decides, that is why I’m here – Resetting agenda,” he affirmed.

“In the manifesto, besides just the work, one of the things we have to look at is staff welfare. This is key. And most of you who knew how I used to talk about it, that passion is not gone. It has actually increased,” he added.

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If you find yourself in Accra, the bustling capital city, you’re in for a treat.

Whether you’re an adventure seeker or someone looking to relax and soak in the local atmosphere, Accra has something special to offer everyone.

From beautiful beaches that beckon you to unwind under the sun to delicious Ghanaian foods that tantalize your taste buds—this city truly captures the essence of what it means to explore a peaceful country full of life and colour.

Let’s dive into some fun things to do while visiting this captivating destination!

About Ghana and where it’s located

According to ScopeNew Ghana is nestled along the western coast of Africa, bordered by Côte d’Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, and Togo to the east.

The Gulf of Guinea lies to its south, providing a beautiful coastline.

This country boasts a rich tapestry of history and culture.

It was famously known as the Gold Coast during colonial times due to its vast resources.

Today, Ghana stands out for being one of West Africa’s most stable democracies.

Its capital city, Accra, serves as a vibrant hub for commerce and culture. Here you’ll find lively markets bustling with energy alongside modern amenities that cater to locals and tourists alike.

With lush landscapes inland and stunning beaches along the coast, Ghana offers diverse experiences waiting to be discovered.

Many good hotels in Accra

Accra boasts a variety of hotels that cater to all types of travellers. Whether you’re seeking luxury or a cosy budget stay, there’s something for everyone.

For those wanting an upscale experience, the Labadi Beach Hotel offers stunning ocean views and world-class amenities. It’s perfect for relaxing after a day exploring the city.

If you prefer boutique options, check out The African Regent Hotel.

This hotel combines local culture with modern comfort, making it an ideal spot for visitors looking to immerse themselves in Ghanaian hospitality.

Budget-conscious travellers will find great value at places like La Villa Boutique Hotel.

Its charming atmosphere and friendly service provide an authentic Accra experience without breaking the bank.

No matter where you choose to rest your head in Accra, each hotel provides its unique flair while showcasing Ghana’s welcoming spirit.

Nice beaches in Accra to visit

Accra has some stunning beaches that cater to every traveller’s vibe. Labadi Beach is a favourite for both locals and tourists alike.

The lively atmosphere, with music and dance, creates an inviting scene.

For a more tranquil experience, head to Kokrobite Beach.

This hidden gem offers soft sands and gentle waves, perfect for relaxation or enjoying a good book under the sun.

Don’t miss out on the picturesque Accra Mall beach area as well. Here you can grab a meal while soaking in views of the ocean.

If you’re looking for adventure, take part in water sports at Teshie Beach.

Whether it’s jet skiing or sailing, there’s plenty to keep your heart racing.

These beautiful spots provide not just leisure but also a glimpse into Ghana’s vibrant coastal culture.

Each beach has its unique charm waiting to be explored!

Try Ghana foods

Ghanaian cuisine is a feast for the senses. The vibrant flavours reflect the rich culture and traditions of this peaceful country.

Start with jollof rice, a spicy one-pot dish that’s often at the heart of celebrations.

Each region adds its twist, making it an exciting culinary adventure.

Fufu is another must-try staple made from pounded cassava or yams, served alongside rich soups like light soup or groundnut stew.

It’s an experience to savour.

Don’t miss out on kelewele—spicy fried plantains that are perfect as a snack or side dish.

Their sweet and fiery blend will leave you craving more.

Also, indulge in waakye, a hearty meal of rice and beans usually enjoyed for breakfast but delicious any time of day.

Taste these dishes at local restaurants where authenticity reigns supreme!

Visit the mall for shopping

Accra is a shopping haven that offers something for everyone.

Whether you’re looking for local crafts, high-end fashion, or everyday necessities, the malls in Accra are worth exploring.

One of the most popular spots is the West Hills Mall, where you can find an array of shops and boutiques.

It’s not just about shopping; it also provides a fantastic atmosphere to hang out with friends or family.

Here you can enjoy some delightful snacks after your retail therapy.

Another great option is the Accra Mall which features both international brands and local stores.

This mall has everything from clothing to electronics, making it perfect for all your needs while visiting Ghana’s capital.

If you’re interested in experiencing local culture while shopping, don’t forget to check out smaller markets scattered throughout the city as well.

They offer unique items that make perfect souvenirs and gifts.

Exploring these malls will add another layer of enjoyment to your trip while showcasing what modern-day Ghana has to offer amidst its rich history and vibrant culture.

She noted that unhealthy practices remained detrimental to their growth and development, as well as to that of their unborn babies, and urged them to desist from self-medication.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Sunyani during a visit to the facility, Ms. Twumwaa also urged pregnant women and girls to attend antenatal clinics regularly to help reduce the incidence of macerated stillbirths.

She further advised them to deliver at health facilities, stating that this would allow specialists to manage labor complications.

Ms. Twumwaa emphasized that pregnant women and girls needed to be aware of their obstetric history, which would help them navigate labor without difficulties or complications.

A midwife on duty, Ms. Stella Kwei Anin, also cautioned pregnant women against strenuous work that could lead to miscarriage and other health complications.

She urged them to visit health facilities immediately whenever they noticed abnormalities in their bodies.

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With no appropriate establishment built by the government, a non-governmental organization secured a safe facility from a private property owner and turned it into the only care home in the region for the special kids.

But after four years of renting the place, the NGO is financially-challenged to keep the facility, leaving the children in limbo.

Solomon Evans, a tertiary graduate who, along with many others called this place home for years is worried about where next to lay their heads.

“For now I’m very confused and don’t know where to go. I’m just waiting on my mother (Founder of the home) he said, his voice a mix of sadness and confusion. “The whole thing is like a dream I want to wake up from. I don’t understand why we have to leave,” he said.

The facility located at Kenyasi was handed to the Appiahene CP Respite and Home, the only private facility in the Ashanti region that provides special care for very dependent children with cerebral palsy.

After investing all her resources into the initiative to support the special kids, Founder, Martha Opoku Agyemang, is now financially drained to keep the facility.

“Funding has been difficult. Caring for these children is very expensive. We are late on rent and now the owner needs his facility for something else,” she said.

She, together with the kids, faces the daunting reality of eviction after they failed to pay up for the facility.

The special home brought relief to parents and guardians of these kids.

“Kojo is an orphan that I took in as my own and it’s difficult caring for him. Bringing Kojo Mensah here has been of great help to me. I have been crying since I got here today. I don’t know what I’m going to do now. I will take him home and hope help comes,” Kojo Mensah’s mum said.

Esther Boatenmaa, mother said, “it’s not easy, I am really saddened. I have 4 other children and taking care of him at home was stressful, the stigmatization alone was too much,” she explained, wiping away tears. “When I got here, I saw the demolishing, aunty Martha asked me if I can take him home for the meantime.”

Speech therapist at the facility, explains the situation could impact their care for the differently-abled children.

“Their treatment should be consistent, there should be no break else we risk starting all over,” she bemoaned.

Catering to the needs of children with cerebral palsy requires technical expertise and patience.

Stephen Adu Gyamfi, the Social Welfare Director at Kwabre East stated, “we knew we had to move out but this has come as a shock to me. It’s unfortunate. For those who can go home to their parents, we’re making arrangements for them but others have no where to go, Kwabre East does not have a permanent residence for them. The challenge is lack of resources.”

With the belongings already evacuated from the house, the kids, their caregivers, and guardians are unsure of their next place of abode.

The special kids and their parents are appealing for aid to support them to find a permanent place of abode, convenient for their physical, social and cognitive development.

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The cases have been reported across six of the region’s 11 districts, with the Nadowli/Kaleo District and Nandom Municipality bearing the highest toll. Of the suspected cases, seven have been confirmed.

Cerebrospinal meningitis, a deadly disease common in Ghana’s meningitis belt, typically peaks between October and March, affecting the Upper West, Upper East, and Northern regions. The disease can claim multiple lives during its active period.

Dr. Danquah, speaking to Accra-based Channel One News, urged residents to take preventive measures, such as staying in well-ventilated spaces, avoiding overcrowded areas, and seeking prompt medical care if symptoms like headaches, fever, and neck pain arise.

He emphasized that early treatment is key to reducing fatalities.

While the specific strain of meningitis causing the cases is yet to be identified, Dr. Danquah noted that a mass vaccination campaign is not being considered, as the situation does not meet the criteria for an outbreak.

He reassured the public that the region’s health authorities are equipped to manage the situation.

Some residents expressed surprise at the reports, as meningitis cases are more common during the hotter months beginning in March.

They called on the Ghana Health Service to increase public awareness campaigns to educate the population on prevention and early detection of the disease.

Health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, urging the public to remain vigilant and adhere to preventive guidelines.

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Of the 200 suspected cases reported, 11 have been confirmed as cholera by officials from the Swedru Municipal Government Hospital.

Mr. Simon Asare, the Agona West Municipal Coordinating Director, made this announcement at a stakeholder meeting in Swedru. He explained that the three deceased individuals were among the 11 confirmed cholera cases, according to reports from the Municipal Health Directorate.

The Assembly has taken swift measures to curb the spread of the disease.

Mr. Asare told the meeting that numerous suspected cholera cases had been reported from Agona Nyakrom, with Agona Nkum identified as an epicenter.

The meeting was attended by chiefs, Assembly members, representatives from the two main political parties—the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP)—market women, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), media practitioners, and drivers’ unions.

He assured that the Assembly would collaborate with health officials to eliminate the cholera outbreak from the municipality completely.

Mr. Asare, who also serves as the Acting Municipal Chief Executive pending a substantive appointment, stated that the Assembly had engaged water tankers to supply water to Agona Nkum and nearby villages due to the breakdown of the main pipeline from Agona Nyakrom to the town.

The Assembly has pressured the Swedru Office of the Ghana Water Company to expedite the repair work on the damaged pipes to restore water supply to the affected residents.

Mr. Asare also announced that a three-month grace period had been given to the residents of Agona Nyakrom and Agona Nkum to install toilets in every household to ensure environmental cleanliness. He warned that the Assembly would take drastic action against any landlord or landlady who failed to comply with the directive.

He also revealed that a decongestion exercise would soon take place in the Central Business District of Swedru to ensure the free flow of human and vehicular traffic and appealed for cooperation from all stakeholders to ensure the success of the exercise.

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Officials from the Ghana Health Service in the municipality said a total of 11 cases have been confirmed so far, putting authorities on high alert.

On January 2, the disease claimed one life and the victim passed away at the Swedru Government Hospital.

The Municipal Health Director for Agona West, Bertha Arthur has thus urged residents to stay alert, while it worked to deal with the outbreak.

Also, the directorate advised the public to practice a high level of hygiene and report early symptoms to a health facility for action.

“As we speak, we have suspected 214 cases. Suspected means that some came with dehydration, diarrhoea and some kind of vomiting. We also have confirmed 11 cases. It means that out of all the samples we sent to the lab, it certified that 11 of them have cholera.

“In an outbreak condition, if a district suspects or confirms an outbreak above a certain number, it means that we have reached an emergency,” Ms Arthur said.

The municipal director of health for Agona West also called for a collaborative effort to control the situation, saying “It is time for all hands on deck to deal with the menace.”

She said education and awareness creation had been intensified to sensitise people to the outbreak.

” We are implementing a multi-faceted approach with all stakeholders to save the situation.

“However, we call on the public to report to the hospital as early as possible when they see symptoms of cholera to help avert any tragedy or loss of life,” the municipal director said.

As of December 26, 2024, the cholera outbreak in some parts of the country had claimed 37 lives with confirmed cases rising from 346 to 359.

The number of districts with confirmed cholera cases had also increased, rising from 44 to 46 as of December 24, 2024.

New cases emerged in Agona East (Central Region) and La Nkwantanang Madina (Greater Accra Region).

To address the outbreak, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) deployed multi-sectoral rapid response teams at the national, regional and district levels.

The teams are working to contain the spread and provide essential support to affected communities.

While hospitalisations have decreased from 64 to 46 within the reporting period, the Western Region continues to have the highest number of hospitalised individuals at 37.

The Greater Accra Region reports three hospitalisations, while the Central Region had six.

Contact tracing efforts, the GHS said, had been robust, with 9,667 contacts identified.

Among these, 8,667 have completed the mandatory five-day follow-up period.

Additionally, it said Phase 2 of the sub-national Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) campaign was concluded between December 15 and 18, 2024, targeting hotspots in the Western Region.

It said districts such as Sekondi-Takoradi, Effia Kwesimintsim, Shama and Ahanta West were covered, with a mop-up exercise conducted on December 19.

The campaign successfully vaccinated 596,205 people, achieving 92.9 per cent coverage of the target population.

The GHS also intensified testing of food vendors and water sources in affected districts to prevent further spread.

Deputy Director in charge of Public Health, Dr. Emmanuel Tevie, emphasized that annual vaccination not only protects dogs, families, and the community from rabies but also eliminates the need for costly treatment for those bitten.

He told the media during a rabies awareness campaign in Effiduase in the Sekyere East District that the human vaccine for treating dog bite victims is very expensive and often unaffordable for many.

“So the cheapest and most effective way of fighting rabies is to vaccinate our dogs,” he stated.

Dr. Tevie stated that deaths from rabies are preventable and emphasized the importance of all stakeholders actively supporting health authorities’ efforts in combating the disease.

The rabies awareness campaign, organized by the Sekyere East District Health Directorate, was preceded by a float through the streets of Effiduase to raise public awareness about the dangers of rabies.

The campaign was joined by schoolchildren, who are often victims of dog bites, as well as chiefs and elders, health workers, police officers, and others. They strategically gathered at the Effiduase station to attract attention to the cause.

Health officials highlighted the importance of the campaign, noting that the district accounted for two of the five confirmed rabies cases in the Ashanti region last year. This has led to a heightened focus on awareness efforts in the area.

Dr. Tevie explained that dog bites are always a potential risk, especially in communities where dogs and cats roam freely without restraints. He stressed the importance of vaccinating these animals to ensure the safety of everyone.

He said the seriousness of the issue is crucial to keep raising awareness so that people understand that rabies is real, preventable, but also deadly.

He also urged victims of dog bites to seek immediate medical attention at the nearest health facility, warning that any delay in treatment could be fatal.

The Sekyere East District Director of Health Services, Dr. Justice Ofori-Amoah, stated that the campaign was crucial because rabies poses a significant public health threat.

He highlighted the concerning fact that the district accounted for two of the five confirmed rabies cases in the entire region in 2024, underscoring the need for dog and cat owners to ensure their pets are vaccinated.

He said the district directorate wanted to inform the public that the disease is both curable and preventable if early steps are taken to address it.

Aside from rabies, the district has also embarked on other initiatives to fight growing cases of other diseases.

The mother of two, who is currently breastfeeding her three-month-old daughter, was diagnosed with the condition on January 14, 2025, at the Upper West Regional Hospital.

Ashida has dedicated her career to saving lives in the healthcare sector, but now she faces the need for a kidney transplant in India, with an estimated cost of USD 18,500. This amount does not cover additional expenses for travel, accommodation, and meals during her stay abroad.

Currently receiving treatment at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, the emotional strain on her family is overwhelming.

Ashida’s husband and children are struggling to come to terms with the reality of their beloved wife and mother’s condition. The family is now urgently appealing to the public for financial support to cover the expenses for the life-saving transplant.

“I have saved lives, now I need help to save my own,” Ashida said, adding, “I want to be there for my children, to watch them grow and to continue my work as a nurse. Please, I am pleading for your support.”

The community Ashida has served selflessly is now coming together to help raise the funds needed for her treatment. Friends, colleagues, and well-wishers are encouraged to contribute in any way possible, as every donation counts in the fight to save Ashida’s life.

A screenshot showing the estimated transplant costs has been widely shared, emphasizing the urgent need for assistance.

Ashida’s family says they would be grateful for any support offered during this incredibly difficult time. As each day passes, they cling to hope, desperately hoping that the kindness of strangers will help them raise the funds necessary for her life-saving transplant.

Two-year-old Halila was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, commonly called eye cancer, while the other child suffers from Wilms tumor, a type of kidney cancer.

The Kumasi South Hospital, where the children are receiving treatment, estimated an amount of at least GH₵60,000 for their care—an amount their families struggled to raise.

According to the Paediatrician at the hospital, Dr. Alimatu Salam, the treatment will involve chemotherapy and surgery to address the conditions of both children.

“We will begin the treatment with chemotherapy, then conduct the surgery, and return to chemotherapy to finally eliminate the cancer. Mostly, we administer the chemotherapy at this hospital and refer patients to KATH for surgery,” she explained.

Dr. Salam further added, “Due to enhanced education, most parents are bringing their wards for diagnosis after noticing certain symptoms, and some of them are diagnosed with cancer.”

Ernestina Kwarko, mother of the two-year-old, said her daughter’s condition started as an anomaly in the eye and later deteriorated.

“They have asked for sixty thousand cedis for the treatment. Already, we have spent thousands of cedis on her, and it will be difficult to raise the requested amount,” she said.

Through the Kofi Job Foundation, an amount of one hundred and twenty thousand cedis was donated to cover the medical bills of the children. An undisclosed amount was also given for the upkeep of their families.

The foundation additionally settled the bills of patients defaulting on payments at the Kumasi South Hospital.

At the Manhyia Government Hospital, the foundation assisted with the procurement of some medical equipment, in addition to settling the debts of needy patients.

At least three hundred and fifty thousand cedis was donated to the hospital, with a significant portion allocated for the purchase of medical equipment.

A similar gesture was extended to the Tafo Government Hospital to support both patients and the facility.

The Founder of the Kofi Job Foundation, Kofi Job, reiterated his commitment to investing more in the healthcare of the needy.

This marks the second time in about four months that the foundation has extended such support to hospitals and patients in need.

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