Lifestyle – Adomonline.com

Sick Hospital: HeFRA gives GHS 3-month ultimatum to rectify concerns in JoyNews report

Gertrude Okyere — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 18:39:44 +0000

The Health Facilities Regulatory Agency (HeFRA) has given a three-month ultimatum to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to address pressing concerns raised in a recent JoyNews feature on the health of the Tafo Government Hospital in the Ashanti region.

The investigative report revealed severe health and infrastructural challenges, including overcrowding and congestion that have left many patients unable to receive adequate medical attention.

Registrar of HeFRA, Dr Wilfred Baah, visiting the facility in the company of the Ashanti Regional Health Director, acknowledged the deteriorating conditions at the Tafo Hospital, which have hindered effective healthcare delivery.

The JoyNews report highlighted that many patients seeking care at the facility are forced to wait for extended periods due to an overstretched healthcare system that lacks sufficient space and resources.

The hospital’s overcrowded wards, compounded by an insufficient number of beds, have resulted in a dangerous backlog of patients, some of whom have reportedly had to be turned away due to a lack of beds.

HeFRA has urged the GHS to take swift action to address key issues, including immediate measures to relieve congestion and reduce patient backlogs.

Expanding Ghana’s healthcare market: the rise of medical tourism

Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 07:31:56 +0000

A former Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Professor Agyeman Badu Akosa, a few weeks ago, wondered why any politician or senior public official should be allowed to travel abroad to seek healthcare.

“…Whether you like it or not, health is expensive and when they go abroad, they pay through the nose, so why can’t we develop it here? If the President is unwell and is admitted to UGMC or Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, what will happen? Are there no competent doctors to look after them? There are…”

These sentiments are not new, and perhaps their re-emergence is to drive home the call for Ghana to invest heavily in the health sector to make the country the premier medical tourism hub for the West African sub-region.

Interestingly, successive governments have been discussing the concept of making Ghana a medical tourism destination, but what remains is actualising the dream of benefiting from the projected $55.83 billion medical tourism market, according to Statista 2025.

Canada, Singapore, Japan, Spain, the UK, Dubai, and India are ranked among the top medical tourism destinations.

In Africa, South Africa is the leader as a medical tourist destination. Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt are prominent in North Africa, attracting European patients. Kenya is also making strides in East Africa, with not much happening in West Africa.

The Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital is attracting some foreign clients for heart surgeries, but in the larger scheme of things, much more needs to be done to stop Ghanaians and other Africans from travelling outside the continent for such services and to attract more clients from outside Africa.

Ghana’s Potential

Ghana has significant potential to become a thriving medical tourism destination due to its strategic location. The country’s geographical position – close to the Prime Meridian and the Equator – near the centre of the Earth, makes it a convenient destination for medical tourists from Europe, the Americas, Africa, and the Middle East, with relatively short flight times compared to other medical tourism hubs.

Also, the Kotoka International Airport (KIA), arguably a regional aviation hub, offers direct and connecting flights from major global cities, with the country’s warm temperature all year round aiding post-treatment recovery for patients from colder regions who seek a stress-free healing environment.

With the growing demand for wellness and alternative medicine, Ghana’s natural resources, including its serene environment, herbal medicine expertise, and wellness retreats, provide opportunities for medical tourists seeking holistic treatments.

Ghana’s rich cultural heritage, historical sites, and vibrant tourism industry can complement medical tourism by offering a holistic experience for international patients and their families.

The country’s Oxygen City, Ho, provides fresh air, natural landscapes, and a relaxing atmosphere that enhances recovery and promotes wellness tourism.

Medical tourists can explore other sites across the country while receiving care.

According to the Ghana Tourism Authority, more than 1.1 million tourists visit the country annually, providing significant economic, healthcare, and socio-cultural benefits to the country.

Should the country offer high-quality healthcare services at a fraction of the cost compared to Western countries and established medical tourism destinations, it would become an attractive alternative for medical tourists.

Another strength is the country’s experienced consultants and specialists across the world who could be encouraged to return to help develop and grow niche areas for medical tourism.

Benefits

Medical tourism boosts foreign exchange earnings because medical tourists bring in foreign currency, which helps strengthen the economy and support national development.

Increased demand for medical services will lead to more investments in hospitals, clinics, and advanced medical equipment, as well as the expansion of the healthcare system.

Growth in medical tourism will also create thousands of jobs in healthcare, hospitality, transport, and tourism-related sectors, helping to address the country’s unemployment challenge.

Government’s Intervention

The encouraging news is that the Government has promised to diversify tourism to include health/medical tourism and pledges to expand infrastructure and systems and promote strategic branding.

Interestingly, in its first budget, the Government states it will give significant attention to medical tourism, finalising, publishing, and implementing the Medical Tourism Policy and Strategy.

“In this regard, the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital will be refurbished into an ultramodern quaternary specialist hospital to reduce reliance on medical care and training abroad.

“Additionally, Ho Teaching Hospital will be upgraded to provide comprehensive specialist services, improving regional access to advanced medical care.”

Ho Teaching Hospital

The Ho Teaching Hospital (HTH), strategically located to serve the people of the Volta Region and beyond, with a vision to become a medical tourist centre through innovative healthcare, is already patronised by clients from neighbouring Republic of Togo, Benin, and Nigeria.

Recently, the Hospital commissioned five new facilities, including a family health centre, a pharmacy complex, and an HTH Annex to enhance healthcare delivery.

The Ho Teaching Hospital Annex is nestled in a lush, green, and serene environment, offering a peaceful and healing atmosphere for patients, visitors, and medical professionals alike. Surrounded by well-manicured gardens, towering trees, and vibrant tropical plants, the Annex blends modern healthcare excellence with nature’s tranquillity.

The Hospital’s expansive green spaces provide a calming retreat, promoting both physical and mental well-being.

Patients recovering from treatment can enjoy fresh air, soothing natural scenery, and a quiet ambience that enhances the healing process. The chirping of birds, gentle rustling of leaves, and a well-maintained landscape create an oasis of comfort and relaxation, setting it apart as an ideal destination for wellness and medical tourism.

With its eco-friendly design and spacious walkways, the Ho Teaching Hospital Annex is not just a healthcare facility—it’s a sanctuary where nature and medicine come together to foster holistic healing.

While this is encouraging, it is important that the Government helps these hospitals undergo international accreditation processes to boost trust and build brand visibility.

The government must also introduce favourable medical travel policies to encourage clients to choose Ghana for medical tourism.

A Coordinating Unit should also be created within the Ministry of Health to facilitate the health tourism agenda.

An Agency with appropriate legislation (Act of Parliament and its corresponding Legislative Instrument) can also be created to manage the fast-growing sector.

Conclusion

With the right investments in healthcare infrastructure, international accreditation, and marketing/branding, Ghana can become the medical tourism destination in Africa.

By leveraging its affordability, quality care, and tourism appeal, the country can attract a growing number of medical travellers seeking world-class treatment in a welcoming and culturally rich environment.

The Writer is the Medical Tourism Coordinator, Ho Teaching Hospital.

Jospong Group partners Austria to boost waste-to-energy and skills training

Joshua Tigo — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 15:42:03 +0000

A Jospong Group of Companies team has undertaken a knowledge transfer programme in Austria focused on waste-to-energy solutions and a national apprenticeship programme aimed at facilitating skill-based capacity building and training.

The team, comprised of researchers, circular economy experts, and learning and development professionals, conducted a study tour of major recycling plants producing Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) that meets the required standards for energy generation and as a substitute for fossil fuels.

A cross section of beneficiries at the workshop

Austrian Apprenticeship Programme

The team also studied Austria’s apprenticeship model, a dual education system where students receive 80% hands-on training within companies and 20% vocational school instruction. Hosted by the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, the team engaged in discussions on the framework guiding Austria’s national apprenticeship programme.

Mr. Thomas Reichenbach, Education Advisor at the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, explained that the apprenticeship model is designed to equip young people with the necessary skills for employment and career progression.

The Head of Jospong Academy and leader of the delegation, Brigadier General Mike Akpatsu (Rtd.), in an interview described the study tour as highly insightful.

He said the Jospong Group, as one of the largest employers of Ghanaian youth, has gained valuable knowledge on apprenticeship as a tool for skill development.

He gave the assurance of the readiness of the Jospong Group to contribute inputs into Ghana’s national apprenticeship programme if given the opportunity.

Mr. Jacob Ladi, Project Manager for the Waste Academy Project funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and Komptech GmbH, emphasized that the study tour was a crucial component of the broader initiative.

Some participants at the training

“One of its key outcomes is the execution of a waste-to-energy research project to be conducted by researchers from the Africa Environmental Sanitation Consult (AfESC) who were on the trip in collaboration with the Technical University of Vienna”.

He said, “The research is expected to provide a blueprint for the implementation of waste-to-energy solutions in Ghana and across Africa”.

He further highlighted that “one of the biggest takeaways from the trip was the opportunity to incorporate lessons from Austria’s apprenticeship programme into the Jospong Group’s capacity-building efforts. This approach will equip the workforce with the right skills to tackle waste management challenges effectively and drive sustainable solutions for the future”.

Mr. Ladi expressed deep appreciation to the Austrian government for its support and reiterated his confidence that, by the end of the project in 2027, all key deliverables will be successfully achieved.

A Communications Officer of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, Mr. James Deku, emphasized Jospong Group’s commitment to sustainable waste management and green job creation.

He pointed out that “consistent capacity building and knowledge-sharing initiatives remain integral to the group’s operations”.

The “Jospong-Komptech Waste Academy” initiative is a knowledge transfer programme aimed at enhancing capacity in waste management.

The programme, which was launched last year in Ghana, is funded by the Austrian Development Agency and Komptech GmbH.

This project reinforces Jospong Group’s dedication to advancing waste-to-energy solutions and workforce development

Hair relaxers linked to increased breast cancer risk in Ghanaian women

Gertrude Okyere — Sat, 29 Mar 2025 20:47:15 +0000

Hair relaxers, used by many Black women for sleek, straight hair, may pose a significant breast cancer risk.

The Ghana Breast Health Study (GBHS) found that Ghanaian women who use chemical relaxers, particularly long-term or former users, have a significantly higher likelihood of developing breast cancer, regardless of tumour type.

Hair relaxers, which chemically alter hair texture, are used by an estimated 90% or more of women of African descent. In Ghana, nearly all participants (96% of breast cancer patients and 94% of healthy controls) reported using relaxers.

The GBHS, comparing 1,071 breast cancer patients to 2,106 women without the disease, found that former relaxer users had more than double the risk of developing breast cancer. Long-term users and those choosing “gentler” non-lye relaxers also showed increased risks.

While previous studies suggested relaxers might increase oestrogen-driven (ER+) breast cancers, this study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention found the heightened risk applied to both ER+ and ER- tumours, indicating multiple pathways of harm.

Although the study doesn’t prove direct causation, it supports growing concerns about relaxer health effects. A 2022 US study linked frequent relaxer use to higher uterine cancer risk, prompting calls for stricter regulation.

In Ghana and other African countries, where relaxers are widely accessible, public health experts emphasize the need for education.

The researchers are calling for in-depth investigations into relaxer ingredients and their effects. Health advocates recommend minimising use, opting for natural styles, or seeking fewer toxic alternatives, emphasising that knowledge is key to prevention.

Universal Health Coverage: CEO of Brand Forwarder registers rural folks on NHIS

Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 15:42:59 +0000

Despite government efforts to ensure universal health coverage in Ghana, many rural residents, especially children, remain unregistered on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

Those who are registered often show reluctance in renewing their membership, creating significant challenges in accessing healthcare at some facilities.

To help address this issue and promote better health within the Lower West Akyem Municipality, Mr. John Massey Arthur, CEO of Brand Forwarder Ventures and Manager of the Kasapreko Depot in Asamankese, has facilitated the registration of deprived children, pregnant women, the elderly, and some youth onto the NHIS.

In a media address, Mr. Arthur explained that his office is frequently approached with requests for assistance with hospital bills, many from individuals in vulnerable situations.

It became apparent that many rural folks in the area lacked health insurance, and those who were registered were hesitant to renew their cards.

In celebration of his birthday and in line with his company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Mr. Arthur took it upon himself to register as many rural residents as possible.

He noted, “In most cases, children and women are very vulnerable at health facilities. Sometimes, patients are detained after treatment because they cannot afford to pay their bills. Meanwhile, the NHIS could offer tremendous support for such people.”

Mr. Arthur emphasized the importance of contributing to the well-being of children, saying, “Nobody knows the future of these children. They could be our saviors in the future. We all have a responsibility to contribute to their well-being and ensure they have a brighter future.”

Mr. Frank Okyere, Public Relations Officer for the National Health Insurance Scheme, underscored the necessity for all Ghanaians to register for the NHIS.

He assured that issues of extortion, overbilling, and unauthorized charges at health facilities have been addressed.

“There are reforms aimed at penalizing health facilities that shortchange NHIS cardholders,” he added, emphasizing that the scheme will continue to collaborate with key stakeholders to ensure universal coverage.

Dr. Edmund Arthur honoured at 2025 Corporate Excellence Awards

Gertrude Okyere — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 20:57:51 +0000

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and head doctor at Balm of Gilead Alternative Healthcare, Dr. Edmund Arthur, has been honoured at the 2025 Corporate Excellence Awards.

Dr. Arthur was adjudged the Most Outstanding in Healthcare Services at the second edition of the event which serves as a beacon for excellence and innovation, recognizing individuals who have demonstrated exemplary performance and conduct across various domains.

The recognition is a testament to his exemplary leadership, commitment to healthcare innovation, and outstanding contributions to the field of alternative medicine in Ghana.

Dr. Arthur’s journey to success has been driven by passion, vision, and a commitment to providing accessible alternative healthcare solutions.

He has dedicated his career to transforming the landscape of healthcare by offering alternative therapies and treatments alongside conventional medical practices.

His holistic approach to healing has made a significant impact on the lives of countless individuals, not only in Ghana but also across the African continent.

From surviving stage three head and neck cancer for over 20 years to leading groundbreaking initiatives in health, nutrition, and clinical counselling, his journey is nothing short of extraordinary.

As CEO of Balm of Gilead Clinic and the Neda Soul Cancer Foundation, Dr. Arthur has dedicated his life to cancer advocacy and holistic healing, working closely with the oncology unit at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

His expertise spans multiple disciplines—food science, nutrition, dietetics, clinical counselling, agronomy, environmental health, and herbal medicine—all geared toward improving lives.

A former official of the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) Ghana, Dr. Arthur is a national executive member of the Church of Pentecost Health Professionals Network and a firm believer in the power of food as medicine.

His mantra, Let Your Kitchen Be Your Pharmacy, has made him a sought-after voice on television, radio, and international platforms.

Currently pursuing his third master’s degree in public health and health promotion, he continues to champion wellness and disease prevention.

A devoted elder of the Church of Pentecost, Dr. Arthur’s influence extends far beyond medicine. He is a visionary whose life’s work is inspiring hope, healing, and transformation.

Only 80 psychiatrists serving Ghana’s 35 million population – Mental Health Authority

Gertrude Okyere — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 20:55:56 +0000

Mental health is a growing global concern, with the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating that one in every eight people worldwide is affected. By 2030, depression is projected to become the leading cause of disability globally.

In Ghana, the situation is even more alarming. Statistics reveal that one in five Ghanaians will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime, with an estimated 2.2 million people currently living with mental disabilities.

However, the country faces a critical shortage of mental health professionals—only about 80 psychiatrists serve the nation’s 30 million people.

Experts say this severe gap in mental health care resources has left countless individuals without proper diagnosis, treatment, or support.

A member of the Mental Health Authority’s communications team, Abigail Harden, in an interview with JoyNews, emphasised the urgency of the crisis.

“The shortage of mental health professionals is a serious challenge. Many people living with mental disabilities are left without proper care, and our facilities are struggling to cope,” she stated.

“Beyond the lack of medical professionals, many individuals with mental disabilities face dire living conditions, often abandoned or without access to proper housing. Psychiatric facilities remain under-resourced, making it difficult for healthcare workers to provide adequate care,” she added.

Mental health advocates are calling for increased investment in mental health services, the training of more professionals, and better policies to ensure that people living with mental disabilities receive the care they deserve.

As Ghana grapples with this growing crisis, the question remains: Will the country take decisive action to address its mental health challenges and provide the necessary support for those in need?

For now, however, the reality remains grim—millions are suffering in silence, with little hope for immediate relief.

ALSO READ:

Hidden dangers of frequent eating after 40

Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy — Sat, 22 Mar 2025 17:23:25 +0000

Are you among the millions of adults over 40 who frequently eat?

Perhaps you grab a snack every hour or eat multiple small meals throughout the day.

This habit can have serious health consequences, including weight gain, insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive decline.

As we age, our bodies undergo significant changes that increase the risks associated with frequent eating.

Many people eat frequently due to stress, boredom, or social pressures, altering their eating habits.

The global population is aging rapidly, leading to changes in physiological needs that impact health and quality of life.

Frequent eating is common among middle-aged and older adults, yet little is known about its health consequences.

This article reviews the current evidence on these consequences.

How Aging Affects Metabolism and Health

After 40, our bodies undergo significant physiological changes.

These changes impact metabolism, hormone levels, and overall health, making frequent eating particularly detrimental.

As we age, our resting metabolic rate slows, declining by 1-2% per decade after age 20. This leads to reduced calorie-burning efficiency (Journal of Gerontology, 2013).

Hormonal changes also play a crucial role.

Testosterone levels decrease by 1-2% annually after age 40, affecting metabolism, body composition, and leading to weight gain (Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2010).

Women experience hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause, resulting in an average weight gain of 2.3 kg during this transition (International Journal of Obesity, 2014).

Age-related muscle loss, or sarcopenia, slows metabolism, increases the risk of chronic diseases, and affects up to 50% of adults over 80 (American Medical Directors Association).

Additionally, decreased insulin sensitivity contributes to the negative effects of frequent eating after 40, declining by 20-30% between ages 40 and 60.

Changes in gut bacteria and reduced physical activity also play a role (Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2015).

Health Risks of Frequent Eating

Frequent eating increases the risk of weight gain and obesity, which are linked to chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers.

A study published in PLOS Medicine found that a sustained change from a typical Western diet to an optimized diet can increase life expectancy by more than a decade for young adults (Fadnes et al., 2022).

Research has shown that middle-aged adults who eat more often are more likely to experience weight gain and obesity (Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics).

A diet high in refined carbohydrates, sugar, and saturated fats can lead to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition).

Middle-aged adults are also at increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke (Journal of the American College of Cardiology).

Additionally, frequent eating may increase the risk of cognitive decline and certain cancers.

However, a diet high in antioxidants, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce these risks (Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease).

Frequent eating has also been linked to increased symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), including bloating, abdominal pain, and changes in bowel habits (Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology).

Prevention Strategies

Limit portion sizes to maintain a healthy weight and prevent overeating.
Eat a balanced diet rich in whole, unprocessed foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
Restrict eating times to two main meals per day, avoiding heavy, greasy, or high-calorie foods, especially after 5 p.m.
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day to control hunger and boost metabolism.
Engage in regular exercise, aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week.
Get enough sleep (7-9 hours per night) to regulate hunger hormones and support weight loss.
Practice mindful eating by paying attention to hunger and fullness cues, eating slowly, and savoring food.

Conclusion

The available evidence suggests that frequent eating after 40 increases the risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive decline.

Therefore, adults over 40 should adopt healthy lifestyle habits to promote overall health and well-being. Further research is needed to fully understand its health consequences.

— The writer is a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (N.D. Candidate), medical journalist, and medical laboratory technologist.

Could gum disease affect your performance? Experts weigh in

Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy — Sat, 22 Mar 2025 11:56:39 +0000

As the world marks World Oral Health Day, a surprising connection between gum disease and erectile dysfunction has come to light.

Yes, you read that right, poor oral hygiene could be costing you more than just a bright smile!

Renowned dental expert Dr. Louisa Ansong Satekla warns that neglecting your gums could have serious consequences for your overall health, including your productivity as a man.

According to Dr. Satekla, gum disease, scientifically known as periodontitis, is an inflammatory condition that can lead to blood vessel damage.

This damage restricts blood flow—not just in the mouth, but throughout the body, including areas responsible for male sexual function.

“And this is not me saying it. This is not Dr. Marfor saying it. It is backed by research that there is a link between gum disease and erectile dysfunction in men. Our blood vessels that run up and down they are not there for no reason they are connecting every part of our body and so they can travel,” she explains.

Dr. Satekla advises men to prioritize oral hygiene as part of their overall wellness routine. Her key tips include, brushing and flossing daily to remove plaque and bacteria, regular dental checkups to detect gum disease early and a healthy diet – rich in vitamins and low in sugar.

Next time you skip your dentist appointment, remember: taking care of your teeth isn’t just about fresh breath—it could save your performance in more ways than one.

These are the biggest concerns facing teen boys and girls

Gertrude Okyere — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 10:23:05 +0000

If you feel like your teen is a mystery, new data may help give you a better look inside their world.

While teen boys and girls are facing many of the same issues, including school pressure and mental health concerns, they may need different kinds of support, according to a Pew Research Center Survey published Thursday.

“One of our main objectives with the research was trying to understand the challenges that teens are facing these days, and specifically how they’re experiencing school, and whether these things differ by gender,” said Kim Parker, Pew’s director of social trends research.

“We’ve been doing a lot of work this year on men and masculinity, and part of that conversation involves what’s happening with boys and girls.”

The survey was conducted September 18 through October 10 among 1,391 teens ages 13 to 17.

While the data did show differences among them –– such as girls reporting more of a pressure to fit in socially and look good while boys said they felt they should be strong and good at sports more often –– many of their perspectives were similar.

Both girls and boys said it was highly important to find a career they enjoy, making money and cultivating friendships in the future, according to the data.

“We are prone to negatively stereotyping teenagers as superficial in their interests, and these results are an excellent reminder that teenagers are serious about the schoolwork they’re doing now, and they are looking ahead to their careers,” said psychologist Dr. Lisa Damour, author of “The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents.” She was not involved in the report.

The pressure to perform

Teen boys and girls alike reported they felt pressure to get good grades, according to the data.

And for those who didn’t see it as an even split, both teen girls and boys perceived girls as getting better grades and being favored by teachers, the report showed.

What they perceive matches existing data that shows girls on average do tend to get better grades than boys, Damour said.

But grades aren’t a zero-sum game –– the success of girls in school doesn’t have to mean boys do worse, said Dr. Annie Maheux, assistant professor of psychology and neuroscience at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Winston Family Distinguished Fellow at the Winston National Center on Technology Use, Brain and Psychological Development.

The disparity might be a sign that something in schooling isn’t working for boys as well as it should, noted Maheux, who wasn’t involved in the survey.

“Schools are set up in such a way that kids who sit still and are less impulsive are going to do well, and we know that there’s a big difference in brain development in early adolescence, and that the part of the brain that’s used for impulse control and critical thinking develops later in boys than girls,” said Michelle Icard, a parenting educator and speaker.

“We are teaching to half of the audience and need to broaden the way we approach education,” said Icard, who wasn’t involved in the report.

More activity and teaching styles that incorporate hands-on learning, for example, might help teen boys do better academically, said Icard, author of “Fourteen Talks by Age Fourteen: The Essential Conversations You Need to Have With Your Kids Before They Start High School.”

Support in friendships

There is good and bad news when it comes to what teens said about their friendships.

Only 2% of teens said that they didn’t have any friends, according to the Pew report. And while that number of those without friends would ideally be zero, it is lower than expected and feels positive, Icard said.

Friendships are especially important in adolescent years, she added.

“Teens are at an age where they’re less likely to turn to an adult for support. They’re naturally going to reach out to their peers before looking to an adult, and peers can be great ushers to adults as needed,” Icard said. “But if you don’t have someone who says, ‘Hey, this is a problem you should talk to a grown-up about,’ then that can be dangerous.”

Although most boys reported they had a close friend they could turn to for support, the number was lower (85%) compared with that of girls (95%) who said they could turn to a friend for support, the data showed.

“We need to try to lose the mythology that boys don’t make close relationships,” Damour said. But at the same time, “we need to take very seriously that we continue to socialize boys to feel that vulnerable emotions are unacceptable. And so long as we’re doing that, we’re going to have boys and adult men who don’t enjoy the strong social support they deserve.”

Different expressions of mental health

There was a difference in how teen boys and girls perceived their struggles: Both said that girls were more likely to experience anxiety and depression and boys were more likely to struggle with substance abuse, fighting and class disruptions, according to the data.

But those findings don’t mean that one group is experiencing mental health concerns and the other is just facing a behavioral issue, Damour said.

“Under mental health, we should fold in the finding that boys are more likely to engage in physical fights,” she said. “One of our well-established understandings as clinicians is that when girls are in distress, they have been socialized to collapse in on themselves –– they’re more likely to experience anxiety and depression. When boys are in distress, they are more likely to act out and get themselves in trouble.”

While disciplinary action might be appropriate when a teen is abusing substances or acting out, it is important that such punishment is paired with an understanding that the behavior comes from suffering, which needs to be addressed, too, Damour said.

“When we see anger in a teenage boy, we think, ‘Well, that’s not depression,’ but it might be. Or if you see a boy who’s acting recklessly, you might think, ‘Oh, he’s a daredevil,’” Icard added.

“That behaviour is a reflection of feeling untethered to other people. So, I wouldn’t presume that boys feel less anxious and less depressed.”

Gov’t reaffirms commitment to sustaining free dialysis under NHIS

Faridatu Seidu — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 10:12:00 +0000

The government, through the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), has reiterated its commitment to sustaining the newly introduced free dialysis program under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Benefit Package.

The initiative seeks to provide continuous support for renal patients covered by the NHIS. NHIA’s Deputy Chief Executive of Operations, Dr. Senanu Kwesi Djokoto, assured beneficiaries of this commitment while addressing the 2024 Annual Performance Review Meeting of the Tamale Teaching Hospital.

The event, themed “Transforming Service Delivery Through Professional Excellence and Ethical Practice,” brought together key NHIA officials, including the Director of Special Initiatives and Liaison to the Ministry of Health, Dr. Anthony Gingong, and Director of Financial Accounting, Dr. Gustav Cruickshank.

Dr. Djokoto’s presence was part of the maiden working visit of NHIA Chief Executive Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe to the Northern and Upper East Regions.

“With this move, I am certain that there will be no interruption to the services being rendered by accredited facilities,” he assured.

He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening partnerships between the NHIA and teaching hospitals to enhance the free primary healthcare agenda.

“The Ghana Medical Care Trust Fund (Mahama Cares) was launched on Wednesday. It will adopt a comprehensive approach to addressing chronic illnesses. For individuals with hypertension, diabetes, and those requiring interventions like dialysis, a visionary policy is necessary to support them in mitigating the devastating financial consequences of their conditions,” he added.

READ ALSO:

Abura Dunkwa District Hospital: A facility begging for intensive care

Joshua Tigo — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 12:36:56 +0000

The Abura Dunkwa District Hospital, located in the Central Region, is facing dire challenges as it continues to rely on outdated medical equipment that has not been upgraded in over two decades.

Situated in Abura-Dunkwa, the capital of the Abura Asebu Kwamankese District, the hospital began as a clinic in 1946 and was later upgraded to a district hospital on August 10, 2000.

It serves a population of about 126,313, annually with a bed capacity of 54.

However, 25 years on, the hospital is still using the same equipment, and the state of the facility has deteriorated significantly.

During a recent visit by Adom News, it was evident that the hospital is in a state of disrepair.

The number of functioning hospital beds has dropped in both quantity and quality, as many of the beds are rusted and damaged.

The shocking state of a hospital bed

The equipment and furniture are in shocking condition. Rusted file trolleys, worn-out mattresses, and furniture dating back 25 years are still being used.

Rusted file trolleys that house vital patients’ records

A hospital bed that can only open the path to death wider

The hospital also lacks sufficient seating for patients, further compromising comfort and care.

A hospital couch that can only compromise patients’ comfort and care

Additionally, the hospital does not have a dedicated surgical theater, forcing medical staff to use a single multipurpose room for both surgeries and deliveries.

In some cases, surgeons have had to operate on patients while women are in labor in the same room, putting both patients’ safety and care at risk.

A facility wheelchair requiring begging to be wheeled

Residents have expressed deep concerns about bringing sick relatives to the hospital, fearing that the poor conditions could lead to death.

Some patients admitted to the facility have also reported experiencing severe spinal pain due to the substandard beds.

The hospital’s challenges paint a grim picture of the healthcare system in the region, highlighting the urgent need for intervention and modernization to ensure better care and safety for the community.

JoyNews introduces new health show, Konsulting Room 5

Gertrude Okyere — Sat, 15 Mar 2025 16:29:30 +0000

JoyNews is set to launch an exciting new health show, Konsulting Room 5, a health programme designed to promote your well-being while making health discussions both engaging and easy to understand. No jargon, no hard terms.

Hosted by health advocate Dr Sue, Konsulting Room 5 will tackle all your health and wellness concerns, offering expert insights in a detailed yet entertaining manner.

Whether you’re curious about nutrition, mental health, fitness, or medical breakthroughs, this show has you covered.

“This is a health show on TV that we discuss health topics and bring in patients who have suffered that condition and the person shares how he or she got it and how he or she is managing it, and then that experience is used by the resource person to explain the condition better” Host of Konsulting Room 5 Dr Sue said in an interview.

The premiere episode airs on 15th March 2025 at 3 PM, featuring none other than Dr Louisa Ansong Satekla, a renowned Ghanaian dental surgeon and World Oral Health Day Ambassador. Dr Louisa brings both medical expertise and relatable lifestyle tips to the conversation.

Don’t miss the debut of Konsulting Room 5 on JoyNews where your health questions meet expert answers in a refreshing and informative way!

Show will be airing on the JoyNews channel at 3 pm on Saturdays, with a repeat on Sunday at 6 pm.

Ga Mantse, Hungary Embassy and others join forces to tackle neonatal health challenges

Gertrude Okyere — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 16:09:57 +0000

The Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, has taken a significant step in addressing neonatal health challenges, particularly neonatal jaundice, in Ghana.

In partnership with organizations such as IPMC Ghana, MEDICOR, the Embassy of Hungary in Accra, and JA Health Hub, the initiative aims to improve infant healthcare nationwide, especially in regions where neonatal issues are most prevalent.

At a landmark conference on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra, the Ga Mantse reiterated his commitment to supporting pediatric healthcare.

“I will continue with the fight to make things better for these innocent babies who have already been born and those yet unborn. I will ensure that a few years from now, the Princess Marie Louise Children’s Hospital will not be the only institution offering specialized care for our children. I pledge to donate a good amount of land for this purpose,” he declared.

He also praised Father Andrew Campbell, a renowned philanthropist and humanitarian, for his outstanding contributions to the Princess Marie Louise Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Mame Yaa Adobea Nyarko, Senior Pediatric Specialist and Medical Superintendent of the Princess Marie Louise Hospital, delivered a keynote address highlighting the alarming statistics surrounding neonatal jaundice.

She explained that while most babies experience jaundice in their first month, the condition can sometimes lead to severe complications, including death or long-term neurological issues like cerebral palsy.

“Neonatal jaundice is the yellowish coloration of the skin and the eyes due to the breakdown of red cells.

A significant number of babies experience it, but some may face life-long consequences,” Dr. Nyarko noted. She stressed the importance of early detection and treatment, urging healthcare practitioners, especially midwives, to remain vigilant when attending to newborns.

“The main challenge in Africa, particularly Ghana, is that due to the darker skin tones of many mothers, it can be difficult to detect jaundice. Early recognition and extra care for babies at risk are critical,” she emphasized.

Dr. Joseph Akwasi Boateng, a physician at Nyaho Medical Center, raised concerns about the poor maintenance of health facilities, citing Princess Marie Louise Children’s Hospital as a prime example.

“Princess Marie Louise Children’s Hospital has been around for 96 years, even before Ghana’s independence, but we have allowed it to fall into disrepair. A hospital of its stature should not be in such a state,” he lamented.

Dr. Nyarko also condemned the mistreatment of patients by healthcare workers, calling for more respect and kindness. “The hospital is for the care of the patient. It’s not about the hospital staff or administrators. Any health worker who insults a patient is not a health worker,” she stated.

The conference was marked by a generous donation of medical equipment to help treat neonatal jaundice at the Princess Marie Louise Children’s Hospital, made possible by Hungarian Ambassador H.E. Tamás Endre Fehér and other stakeholders, including The Ga Mantse.

Ambassador Fehér emphasized Hungary’s continued support for initiatives aimed at ensuring that every newborn receives the best possible care, ensuring a strong start in life.

The event ended on a note of collective responsibility and commitment to improving neonatal healthcare in Ghana.

Nsiah-Asare confirms Ghana’s free dialysis programme is operational

Joseph Odotei — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 10:16:52 +0000

Former Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr. Anthony Nsiah-Asare, has confirmed that Ghana’s free dialysis programme is actively running at selected health facilities.

His comments follow concerns raised by Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, who criticized the previous administration for allocating only GH¢4 million to the programme, arguing that the amount was grossly inadequate to meet the needs of dialysis patients nationwide.

Mintah Akandoh, a former Ranking Member on the Health Committee of Parliament, expressed worry over the lack of a sustainable funding mechanism for dialysis treatment in the country. He emphasized that GH¢4 million was insufficient given the high cost of dialysis sessions, medical consumables, and comprehensive patient care.

However, speaking in an interview on Citi FM, Dr. Nsiah-Asare refuted claims that financial constraints were affecting the programme’s effectiveness.

“We all saw in the dailies that 20 facilities were published by the National Health Insurance Authority for this free dialysis in December 2024 after assessments were done.

“These services, as I know, are currently ongoing smoothly in the various selected facilities and have been confirmed several times by the president of the Dialysis Association, Major Ahenkra. You can call him to confirm, you can also call some dialysis patients to verify if they are not receiving free dialysis.

“You can also reach out to some of the institutions to confirm if they are not being reimbursed through the National Health Insurance.

“This is part of the policy package for this year. As you are aware, the health insurance scheme acquired 45 dialysis machines through a three-partner collaboration, which were deployed to support the free dialysis programme.

“So, as far as I am concerned, free dialysis is ongoing. The GH¢57 million budgetary allocation captured in the appropriation bill for the first quarter has covered dialysis treatment,” he stated.

Dr Nsiah Asare disputes Health Minister’s claim about free dialysis initiative

Gertrude Okyere — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 17:57:32 +0000

Former presidential advisor on Health and Chair of the Dialysis Committee, Dr Anthony Nsiah Asare, has dismissed claims by the Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh that there is no active free dialysis policy.

He insists that the Akufo-Addo government secured World Bank funding to support free dialysis treatment until the end of 2025 after a pilot programme ran from June to November 2024.

Health Minister Mintah Akandoh told JoyNews that the initiative originally covering children under 18 and adults over 60 before expanding to all renal patients had no dedicated funding.

“I get confused when people say that there is free dialysis somewhere in Ghana. This is a misleading statement. There is no free dialysis anywhere,” he insisted.

He explained that only 4 million cedis was allocated, with 2 million coming from the budget and another 2 million from corporate social responsibility funding.

“You can’t depend on 4 million cedis for something that requires at least 75 million cedis. The National Health Insurance formula expired on 31st December 2024. Beyond that date, there is absolutely nothing like free dialysis,” he added.

But speaking to JoyNews, Dr Nsiah Asare refuted these claims, stating that public health should be a priority. “Ensuring affordable healthcare is a core mandate of any responsible government. The funds were secured, and dialysis treatment should not be abandoned,” he said.

In Parliament, former Health Committee Chair Dr Nana Ayew Afriyie also opposed the Health Minister’s claims, insisting that funds are available to sustain dialysis treatment.

Meanwhile, the Renal Patients Association president, Kojo Baffour Ahenkora, has cautioned the government against cancelling the policy, warning that it could increase the mortality rate among kidney patients.

“For the past three weeks, we have been trying to meet with the Minister to discuss the way forward, but we have not been successful. The mortality rate is currently low, but if this policy is cancelled, deaths will rise because many of the patients are young between 18 and 40 years old, including students who are not working. We even have nine and 13-year-olds on dialysis. Where will they find the money?” he questioned.

He urged the government to fix any flaws in the previous administration’s approach rather than abandon the policy. “I think if the previous administration did not do something right, they should correct it and let us move forward, we need to move forward from some of these things, we the individuals cannot pay,” he added.

As the world marks Kidney Day under the theme “Are Your Kidneys OK? Detect Early, Protect Kidney Health,” awareness is being raised about kidney disease in Ghana.

Early detection and treatment are essential in preventing kidney failure and reducing the burden on dialysis services.

ALSO READ:

Dream Dalliance: Ghana’s homegrown dating platform that is disrupting the market

Joshua Tigo — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 12:38:51 +0000

Local innovation often takes a backseat in an era dominated by global tech giants.

But one Ghanaian-founded dating platform is pushing back against the tide of international competitors to offer a service that resonates deeply with Ghanaians and the wider African community.

Dream Dalliance is more than just a dating app; it’s a business that’s reshaping how Ghanaians connect, interact, and build relationships—without the constraints of paywalls, subscription fees, or intrusive ads.

A local solution for a global market

Dream Dalliance is Ghana’s very first dating platform designed with one purpose: to create meaningful, authentic connections for people looking for love, friendship, or anything in between.

While international apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Badoo dominate the global scene, they often fail to speak to the unique cultural and social dynamics of Ghana.

Dream Dalliance offers a local solution that understands its users’ preferences, values, and expectations, positioning itself as the first real homegrown alternative.

For the founder of Dream Dalliance, Prince Senyo Dzahene, the idea was born from a deep desire to create a dating platform that not only catered to Ghanaians but did so in a way that was genuine and accessible.

“There is a growing need for a platform that connects people in a way that feels real, and Dream Dalliance is built with the belief that love and friendships should be free of barriers,” Prince shares.

The features that set dream dalliance apart

What makes Dream Dalliance stand out in a crowded market isn’t just the local focus, but the features that enhance user experience and bring a modern touch to the dating world.

Here are a few aspects that are transforming the way Ghanaians approach online connections:

Multilingual Chat System: One of the key differentiators is the platform’s ability to connect people from diverse backgrounds through a chat system that supports over 50 languages. Users can choose to chat in any language they prefer, facilitating communication between people from different linguistic regions. Whether you’re chatting in English, French, or any other language, Dream Dalliance removes language barriers, making connections smoother and more accessible.
Seamless Signup Process: Signing up is as easy as clicking a few buttons. Dream Dalliance leverages social login integrations, allowing users to sign up with their Gmail, Twitter, or Facebook accounts. This simplicity encourages adoption, particularly for users who want a quick and frictionless experience.
Enhanced Communication Tools: Communication is at the heart of any relationship, and Dream Dalliance delivers with its feature-rich chat system. Whether it’s video calls, audio calls, or video broadcasts, the platform offers everything needed to keep conversations engaging. The ability to send emojis, stickers, and gifs adds a playful, personalized touch to each interaction.
Smart Search Algorithm: Dream Dalliance’s intelligent search algorithm ensures users can find others based on specific filters like location, gender, interests, and other personal preferences. The goal is to connect people with shared values, making it easier to foster genuine relationships.
Unique Features: In addition to traditional features like adding friends and sending gifts, Dream Dalliance introduces a fun twist with its Hot or Pass feature. This allows users to engage with one another in a playful, no-pressure environment, a feature many international platforms lack.

A platform built on freedom: no paywalls, no ads, no fees

In stark contrast to the pay-to-play model of most international dating platforms, Dream Dalliance takes a different approach.

There are no paywalls, no subscription fees, and no annoying ads interrupting your experience.

Richmond and his team are committed to making Dream Dalliance a free platform for all because they believe everyone should have the opportunity to connect without financial barriers.

This approach is a breath of fresh air for users tired of encountering locked features behind expensive paywalls.

Dream Dalliance’s model is not just about fostering love and friendship; it’s about providing access to everyone, regardless of their economic status.

A competitive edge in the global dating market

Dream Dalliance doesn’t just serve the local Ghanaian market; its strategic vision aims at the broader African continent.

While international platforms have a global reach, they are often disconnected from the local context. Dream Dalliance’s local ownership and cultural relevance give it a unique edge over international competitors.

Ghanaians and Africans who sign up can interact with others who share their culture and experiences, creating a sense of belonging that’s hard to find on mainstream dating apps.

For Dream Dalliance, the future is about scaling locally while keeping the platform’s focus on user experience.

Richmond envisions the app expanding beyond Ghana, with plans to reach other African countries where cultural nuances are important in forging connections.

The road ahead: scaling a Ghanaian brand globally

As Dream Dalliance continues to grow, the team is focused on expanding its user base and enhancing features that encourage deeper connections.

The platform is currently working on refining its user experience and exploring potential partnerships to bring even more value to its community.

The dream is clear: to provide a platform where Ghanaians and Africans can build authentic relationships, without being restricted by the typical barriers of mainstream international dating apps.

Dream Dalliance is more than a business; it’s a movement toward creating a digital space where people feel understood, respected, and connected.

As Dream Dalliance continues to scale, its success will be defined by its ability to provide genuine, accessible, and culturally relevant connections—an important step forward in the African dating landscape.

To explore Dream Dalliance and become part of this groundbreaking community, visit Dream Dalliance.

Dr. Bernice Makafui Brempong honoured by Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang

Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 09:00:53 +0000

Dr. Bernice Makafui Brempong, Senior Executive in charge of Investments in Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals at the Office of the President, has been honoured at the 10th Women of Excellence Awards.

The awards ceremony, held on March 7, 2025, to commemorate International Women’s Day, saw Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang presenting the award to Dr. Brempong in recognition of her contributions to the development of the pharmaceutical industry in Ghana.

Driven by her passion for healthcare innovation and governance, Dr. Brempong is a strong advocate for policies that promote sustainable healthcare solutions.

She is also committed to empowering women and young professionals in science, healthcare, and entrepreneurship.

Her remarkable contributions have earned her multiple awards, including:

Africa Outstanding Professional Award (2022)
Most Outstanding Female in Pharmaceuticals in Ghana Award (2022)
50 Most Influential Women in Ghana Award (2023)

Beyond her corporate and advisory roles, Dr. Brempong has been actively involved in public health research, spearheading studies on:

Vaccine manufacturing feasibility
Medication shortages
Cardiovascular disease care

Before her appointment at the Office of the President, she served as the Chief Executive Officer of Makhealth Pharmaceuticals Limited.

She previously worked with some of Ghana’s leading pharmaceutical companies, including Ernest Chemists Limited and Entrance Pharmaceuticals Limited.

Dr. Brempong holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and a Master of Science degree in Entrepreneurship from University College London, both obtained concurrently in 2022.

She also earned a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from the School of Pharmacy, University of Ghana, Legon, in 2016.

Her academic background, combined with her extensive industry experience, has enabled her to blend healthcare expertise with business acumen to drive innovation in healthcare solutions.

The Ghana Women of Excellence Awards is organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection to celebrate International Women’s Day. The 2025 edition was themed: “Empowering the Ghanaian Woman for National Development.”

Solutions to TB and HIV benefit all of us, North and South

Joshua Tigo — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 09:54:12 +0000

In the west of Kenya, near the shores of Lake Victoria, where I come from, a tuberculosis outbreak is no different from one that takes place anywhere else in the world.

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

Kadjebi District records 55 HIV/AIDS cases in 2024

Gertrude Okyere — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 07:11:58 +0000

The Kadjebi District Health Directorate in the Oti Region has recorded 55 HIV/AIDS cases in 2024, comprising 41 females and 14 males.

Eric Nana Takyi, Kadjebi District Director of Health Services, disclosed this at the 2024 Annual Performance Review Meeting in Kadjebi, adding that 262 patients are currently on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART).

He advised residents, especially women, to be mindful of their sexual health, noting that they are more vulnerable to the virus than men.

On maternal healthcare, Nana Takyi stated that the district had recorded zero maternal deaths for three consecutive years.

He also announced that the Kadjebi District placed second in the Oti Region at the 2023 Districts Performance Review Meeting and was recognized as the Best Maternal Care District.

Additionally, 30 healthcare staff were honoured for their outstanding contributions to healthcare delivery in the district.

ALSO READ:

Health Ministry dismisses claims on completed Agenda 111 hospitals

Faridatu Seidu — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 10:41:12 +0000

The Ministry of Health has refuted claims by former Finance Minister Dr. Amin Adams that three hospitals under the Agenda 111 project were completed, equipped, and commissioned before the previous government left office.

In a press release dated March 4, 2025, the Ministry urged the public to disregard these assertions, stating that an inspection of the Trede, Kokoben, and Ahanta hospitals revealed that the facilities remain under construction with no installed medical equipment.

The Ministry further clarified that while $400 million was spent on the project, none of the 111 district hospitals under construction is currently operational. The estimated cost to complete the entire project now stands at $1.589 billion.

Additionally, it disclosed that an extra $8.03 million is required to make the Trede, Kokoben, and Ahanta hospitals functional.

Reaffirming its commitment to improving healthcare delivery, the Ministry assured the public of efforts to ensure the timely completion of the hospitals.

READ ALSO:

Resource Vaccine Institute to fight respiratory diseases – Fanteakwa South MP

Faridatu Seidu — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 09:50:39 +0000

The Member of Parliament for Fanteakwa South, Duke Ofori-Atta, has called for a proactive approach to addressing health crises that threaten economic stability.

He stressed the importance of Ghana being well-prepared to handle diseases that have impacted nations globally, noting that the country’s lack of preparedness during the COVID-19 pandemic left it vulnerable and highlighted the need for urgent action.

Speaking to Adom News in Parliament, Ofori-Atta urged the government to adequately resource the National Vaccine Institute and the Ghana Health Service to enhance research and vaccine production to combat future health threats.

He also encouraged Ghanaians to prioritize their health, emphasizing preventive care.

Touching on the debate surrounding the State of the Nation Address (SONA), he called on the government to expedite the completion of the Agenda 111 projects and other critical health infrastructure to strengthen the country’s healthcare system.

READ ALSO:

Illegal fees, poor network hindering NHIA membership renewals – Bono Regional Manager

Faridatu Seidu — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 11:14:35 +0000

The Bono Regional National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has identified illegal charges by healthcare providers and poor network connectivity as key challenges affecting membership renewals.

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.

READ ALSO:

Asumura health centre workers demand urgent repairs

Faridatu Seidu — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 08:45:44 +0000

Workers at the Asumura Health Centre in the Asunafo North Municipality of the Ahafo Region have raised concerns over the deteriorating state of key facilities, warning that the situation is affecting quality healthcare delivery.

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.

READ ALSO:

DR Congo conflict: 500 mpox patients flee clinics after rebel looting

Gertrude Okyere — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 13:47:17 +0000

More than 500 mpox patients have fled clinics in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo over the last month amid the current conflict.

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.

ALSO READ:

GHANET endorses Mahama’s commitment to fill HIV funding gap

Gertrude Okyere — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 11:10:38 +0000

The Ghana HIV and AIDS Network (GHANET) has welcomed President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to addressing the shortfall caused by the USAID funding withdrawal.

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.

ALSO READ:

GHS to launch nationwide campaign to combat anemia

Faridatu Seidu — Fri, 28 Feb 2025 10:12:39 +0000

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) is set to launch a nationwide campaign to combat anemia, with a focus on pregnant women and children.

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.

READ ALSO:

Ghana Health Service to embark on polio vaccination

Gertrude Okyere — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 17:18:38 +0000

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) is set to launch a crucial polio vaccination campaign aimed at safeguarding young children from the debilitating disease.

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.

ALSO READ:

Health Ministry, Informa Middle East sign MoU to boost health tourism in Ghana

Gertrude Okyere — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 16:13:49 +0000

The Ministry of Health and Informa Middle East Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate investment and position Ghana as a leading health tourism hub.

The partnership aims to foster economic growth and attract global stakeholders to Ghana’s health sector, positioning the country as a premier destination for health tourism.

This MoU sets the stage for the Second International Ministerial Health Summit, scheduled to take place in Accra in December 2025 under the theme Investment in Healthcare for Africa.

The summit is expected to bring together over 2,000 healthcare leaders, policymakers, and global organizations to discuss sustainable investment strategies and drive progress in Africa’s healthcare landscape.

Ghana’s Ministry of Health is committed to enhancing healthcare delivery, driving innovation, and attracting investment in the country’s healthcare sector. Through this collaboration, Ghana aims to establish itself as a hub for healthcare excellence in Africa.

Informa, a global leader in organizing high-profile international summits, brings its expertise to the partnership, having successfully hosted the inaugural International Ministerial Health Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, in December 2024.

The MoU also facilitates knowledge exchange between healthcare leaders, ministers, and experts to address challenges facing Africa’s healthcare system.

Additionally, the partnership will create networking opportunities for Ghanaian healthcare professionals, policymakers, and industry leaders to collaborate with international experts.

As part of the agreement, Ghana’s healthcare sector will receive essential medical equipment, including incubators, dialysis machines, MRI machines, CT scanners, and mammogram equipment, to enhance healthcare delivery.

Together, Informa Markets and the Ministry of Health Ghana are laying the groundwork for a stronger, more sustainable healthcare future for Ghana and Africa.

ALSO READ:

FDA responds to BBC report on unapproved drug imports

Faridatu Seidu — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 10:03:42 +0000

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has responded to a BBC Africa Eye investigation exposing the export of unapproved drugs containing tapentadol and carisoprodol by India’s Aveo Pharmaceuticals to West African countries, including Ghana.

The FDA clarified that it has not registered or approved these substances for medical use in Ghana.

Tapentadol, a potent opioid, and carisoprodol, a muscle relaxant, pose significant health risks, including addiction and severe side effects such as respiratory collapse and confusion.

According to the FDA, its Centre for Import and Export Control has not processed any import permits for these substances, making their presence in Ghana illegal.

In December 2023, authorities intercepted a container bound for Niger, seizing large quantities of unapproved drugs, including 181 cartons of Royal 225mg (Tapentadol and Carisoprodol) and 90 cartons of Tafradol 120mg.

The seized products were destroyed following a court order in January 2025.

The FDA has also taken action against local entities linked to Aveo Pharmaceuticals. Samos Pharma, a registered importer, has been directed to cease collaborations with Aveo Pharmaceuticals and its exporter, Westfin International Private Limited.

Additionally, the FDA has suspended product registration applications from Masters Pharmaceutical Limited, which had engaged Aveo Pharmaceuticals as a contract manufacturer.

These measures underscore the FDA’s commitment to protecting public health by preventing the importation and distribution of unapproved and potentially dangerous pharmaceuticals in Ghana.

READ ALSO:

Health Minister raises alarm over unauthorised high-dose drugs in Ghana

Faridatu Seidu — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 13:52:54 +0000

Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has raised concerns over the widespread availability of unauthorised high-dose drugs in Ghana, warning of their severe health and mental effects.

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.

READ ALSO:

Oxygen plant at 37 Military Hospital fixed

Gertrude Okyere — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 06:45:25 +0000

The Minister of Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, has announced that the oxygen plant at the 37 Military Hospital has been repaired.

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.”

ALSO READ:

When finding love on Facebook becomes a family tradition

Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy — Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:10:32 +0000

In today’s Love Series, we bring you the story of a family where finding true love on Facebook is becoming a tradition.

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

Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire hold cross-border meeting on Mpox epidemic in Takoradi

Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 13:45:34 +0000

A three-day regional cross-border meeting on the Mpox epidemic is currently underway in Takoradi, Western Region, Ghana.

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.

Korea reaffirms support for Ghana’s healthcare sector

Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 07:13:22 +0000

The Republic of Korea has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ghana’s healthcare sector as the Korean Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Park Kyongsig, paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, at the Ministry in Accra.

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.

ALSO READ:

‘No running away’ – Akufo-Addo urges ex-appointees to face accountability

Ghanaians will see NPP’s work when the dust settles – Ahiagbah

Typhoid cases surge in Nanumba North amid water crisis

Faridatu Seidu — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 14:02:03 +0000

The Nanumba North Municipality in the Northern Region is witnessing a rise in typhoid cases, primarily due to poor sanitation and unsafe water sources.

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.

READ ALSO:

Health Minister to brief Parliament today on Cholera, CSM outbreaks

Faridatu Seidu — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 08:47:19 +0000

Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh is set to appear before Parliament today, Tuesday, February 18, to provide an update on ongoing public health emergencies in the country.

This follows a request made by the Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Efutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who raised concerns about recent outbreaks of cholera and cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) in several regions of Ghana.

In response, First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor formally summoned Mr. Akandoh to brief the House on the situation and the government’s efforts to control the spread of the diseases.

Afenyo-Markin, whose constituency has been identified as one of the hotspots for these outbreaks, has expressed concerns about the effectiveness of measures in place to contain the spread and safeguard affected communities.

In preparation for his appearance in Parliament, Mr. Akandoh has conducted field visits to assess the situation firsthand.

He toured the Western, Greater Accra, and Central regions to evaluate the cholera outbreak and visited the Upper West Region to inspect the meningitis situation.

During his briefing in Parliament, Mr. Akandoh is expected to present a comprehensive report on the ongoing outbreaks, detailing government interventions and measures aimed at mitigating their impact on affected populations.

READ ALSO:

GHS intensifies vaccination as cholera outbreak claims 40 lives

Gertrude Okyere — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 16:20:44 +0000

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) is intensifying vaccination and sensitisation as a cholera outbreak claims 40 lives and infects over 6,000 people nationwide.

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.

ALSO READ:

Bagbin donates GH₵300,000 worth of medical supplies to support CSM fight in Upper West

Faridatu Seidu — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 15:43:50 +0000

Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has donated GH₵300,000 worth of medical supplies to support efforts to curb the spread of cerebrospinal meningitis and provide free medical care to affected patients.

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.

READ ALSO:

NLA donates GH₵100,000 to combat CSM outbreak in Upper West Region

Faridatu Seidu — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 10:11:27 +0000

The National Lottery Authority (NLA) has donated GH₵100,000 to support efforts in combating the outbreak of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) in the Upper West Region.

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.

READ ALSO:

‘My wife fears sex, I fear death’ – impacts of the USAID freeze

Gertrude Okyere — Sat, 15 Feb 2025 14:52:34 +0000

Life for Mike Elvis Tusubira, a motorcycle taxi rider with HIV in Uganda, has been turned upside down since US President Donald Trump halted foreign aid last month.

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.

Mike Elvis Tusubira

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.

This clinic – a major HIV treatment centre for northern Malawi – locked its gates 18 days ago

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.”

ALSO READ:

Meningitis: Housemaster saves life of SHS student in Nadowli

Gertrude Okyere — Sat, 15 Feb 2025 14:29:10 +0000

The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandor, has commended the management of the Queen of Peace Secondary School at Nadowli for their swift response, which helped save the life of a student who tested positive for cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM).

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.

ALSO READ:

GHS begins cholera vaccination drive amid rising cases

Gertrude Okyere — Sat, 15 Feb 2025 07:36:34 +0000

The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has commenced a cholera vaccination campaign in Accra to combat the escalating outbreak of the disease across multiple regions.

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.

ALSO READ:

Meningitis situation is under control – Health Minister

Gertrude Okyere — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 07:09:02 +0000

Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has assured that the Meningitis situation in the Upper West Region is under control, calling for concerted efforts from stakeholders to curb the menace.

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.

ALSO READ:

Cholera outbreak: Bury dead relatives immediately – Environmental Health Office warns

Gertrude Okyere — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 06:09:38 +0000

The Central Regional Environmental Health Office has cautioned families who lose their relatives to cholera to bury them immediately to protect the community.

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.

ALSO READ:

EU provides GHC 1.6m to Ghana to aid cholera fight

Faridatu Seidu — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 11:49:35 +0000

The European Union (EU) has allocated GHC 1.6 million (€100,000) in humanitarian funding to aid communities affected by the ongoing cholera outbreak.

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.

READ ALSO:

Health Minister assures Upper West residents of free treatment amid CSM outbreak

Faridatu Seidu — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 09:50:35 +0000

The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has reassured residents of the Upper West Region that the government is actively working to contain the Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) outbreak.

During his visit on Wednesday, February 12, he confirmed that medical supplies, including antibiotics, had been delivered to support treatment efforts.

He urged individuals experiencing symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, or neck stiffness to seek immediate medical attention, emphasizing that treatment is free.

“We are going to provide whatever it takes to contain this disease. For now, we have brought a number of essential items. The antibiotics in use are available in sufficient quantities. The directive is clear—anyone experiencing symptoms like sneezing, coughing, or neck stiffness must rush to the nearest health facility, where they will receive treatment at no cost,” Mr. Akandoh stated.

He further cautioned residents against delaying medical care, stressing that early intervention is crucial in managing the outbreak.

“Do not wait for the situation to worsen before seeking medical attention. This treatment is free, and we are ensuring that the region has enough resources to combat the disease effectively,” he assured.

READ ALSO:

GHS to embark on cholera vaccination for children in Accra Metro

Gertrude Okyere — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:52:23 +0000

The Ghana Health Service has announced a cholera vaccination campaign targeting children across the Accra Metropolitan area.

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.”

ALSO READ:

More females living with HIV and AIDS in Bono Region – HIV Coordinator

Gertrude Okyere — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 06:52:36 +0000

The female population of Persons Living with HIV and AIDS (PLwHAs) in the Bono Region outnumbers the male population, according to statistics from the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

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.

ALSO READ:

Uganda battles new Ebola outbreak – and a vaccine hesitancy crisis

Gertrude Okyere — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 09:02:10 +0000

A month after an Ebola outbreak struck Uganda in September 2022, Edward Kayiwa began feeling unwell: headaches, fever and muscle pain.

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.”

ALSO READ: