The Tema Metropolitan Health Directorate on Wednesday started a series of sensitization programmes to educate the public on cholera outbreaks. The programme is aimed at informing the public on the causes, symptoms and prevention of the disease.
Mrs Gifty Ofori-Ansah, Tema Metropolitan Pharmacist, who addressed the Media at the start of the programme, said as at Monday, January 25, a total of 15 suspected cholera cases had been recorded in the Greater-Accra Region.
She said out of this figure, three were confirmed to be positive, after samples from the patients were tested, adding that one person was confirmed dead.
The Tema Metropolitan Pharmacist indicated that one suspected case was reported at the Tema Polyclinic over the weekend.
She said in order not to take any chance, health facilities have been instructed to treat any diarrhoea case as a suspected case of cholera and urged the public to immediately report any diarrhoea and vomiting cases to the nearest health facility, as a prolonged cholera could lead to intensive dehydration, and subsequently death.
Mrs Ofori-Ansah explained that cholera was a disease caused by micro-organisms, which led to a victim passing lots of loose and watery stools, as well as vomiting.
She gave the assurance that the Directorate had all the necessary logistics in stock including injections, infusions and medication for the free treatment of cholera cases in the Metropolis.
She further indicated that even though most of the health facilities in the Metropolis lacked isolation wards, provision for a temporary one has been made by the Directorate to handle any case of cholera.
She stated that one sure way of preventing cholera was by thoroughly washing the hands with soap and water before every meal, after shaking people’s hands, and after visiting the toilet.
Other preventive measures, she said, included boiling drinking water, washing of fruits and vegetables, as well as avoiding eating cold foods such as iced cream, iced-kenkey and sliced watermelons, sugarcane and mangoes sold by hawkers.
“Cups, plates, and cutleries are also to be washed regularly with soap and water.”
Mrs Ofori-Ansah also entreated other stakeholders such as the Environmental Health and Waste Management Departments of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA), to ensure that waste was properly disposed of by residents.
She also urged food vendors and hawkers to prepare and sell their foods under hygienic conditions.
The sensitization programme would be extended to schools, churches, markets and other organizations.