Consequently, one hundred volunteers have been trained as part of measures to prevent a possible outbreak of cholera in the Region. The volunteers, drawn from five Districts including Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese (AAK), Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA), Mfantseman, Gomoa West and Twifo Hemang Lower Denkyira were among the districts mostly affected by the disease last year.

They were equipped with the messages on the, signs and symptoms of cholera, how to prevent cholera and save lives, how to move cholera patients to health facilities and hand washing promotion.Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Cape Coast, Mr Evans Kevi, Health and Social Development Coordinator of the SRC in Ghana said SRC existed to support projects and humanitarian campaigns to eliminate human suffering.

He explained that the Cholera outbreak that hit the Region last year, affected many poor and vulnerable persons, hence the decision by the SRC to release funds to help prevent any possible outbreak in future.Mr Kevi described as ‘unacceptable’ the increasing cholera cases with its attendant deaths, adding that quick prevention was required, and urged the communities to fully embrace and sustain the campaign.

He said SRC would continue to support humanitarian campaigns run by National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to eliminate human suffering.Mr John Ekow Aidoo, Regional Manager, GRCS, said a consultation forum had been held with the Ghana Health Service (GHS), the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) and other stakeholders as part of the campaign.

He also indicated that Red Cross volunteers and other stakeholders including the GHS and the Environmental Health Agency had been engaging some communities through night cinemas to educate them on the disease.“The Red Cross Society has distributed 100 hand washing buckets, soap and detergents to communities, schools, public toilets and other public places to encourage hand washing practices as part of the efforts,” he added.

Mr Aidoo called for effective collaboration between all allied institutions and agencies to intensify public education on environmental, personal and food hygiene, and infection prevention.He urged the public to always wash their hands before meals, before the preparation of food, after using the toilet, before feeding a child and after cleaning a child.He further admonished the public to maintain personal hygiene by cultivating the habit of hand washing to prevent the spread of diseases.