Dr Anthony Nsiah-Asare – GHS Director General
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has announced the importation of 10,000 influenza vaccines as part of measures to curb the further spread of the H1N1 influenza virus which has already claimed the lives of four students at the Kumasi Academy (KUMACA).
The vaccines, expected in the country in a few days, will be administered to students of KUMACA in the Asokore-Mampong area of Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.
Explaining the rationale behind the number of vaccines being imported, Dr Franklin Aseidu Bekoe, Head of Disease Surveillance at the Ghana Health Service (GHS), explained that the decision was taken as a result of the localisation of the disease outbreak at only KUMACA.
“H1N1 is not a routine kind of disease that we have in the country. We’ve made a request to the WHO to provide us with vaccines…When you have the H1N1 diagnosis, you’ll have to go through the processes to get the vaccines. The H1N1 is a localised outbreak and not a nationwide outbreak that is why we are bringing in 10,000 vaccines,” he told Starr FM.
Meningitis
Following the outbreak of H1N1 influenza, also known as swine flu, at KUMACA a few weeks ago, an outbreak of meningitis is also making waves in certain senior high schools in the country.
The Bawku Secondary Technical School had already recorded seven cases of meningitis that led to the death of a final year student, while one death caused by the same disease was recorded at the Tempane Senior High School
Other students affected by the disease had been admitted at the Bawku Presbyterian hospital, according to reports.
One students of the Damongo Senior High School in the West Gonja District in the Northern Region had also been confirmed dead from suspected case of meningitis.
Nine other persons, according to reports, are on admission at the Damango District Hospital.
A student of the Koforidua Secondary Technical School (SECTECH) also died of suspected meningitis at the Koforidua General Hospital last Saturday
GMA/PSGH Speak
Professional health bodies in the country have added their professional thoughts to the ongoing containment of H1NI influenza and meningitis outbreak in the country.
The organisations, Ghana Medical Association (GMA) and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH), in separate press statements, raised critical concerns about the health situation in the country’s senior high schools and also gave vital preventive information to the public.
In their statement signed by GMA President Dr Frank Ankobea and Assistant General Secretary Dr Titus Beyuo, it commended the professionalism of their colleagues at the Public Health Division of the GHS, but bemoaned the inadequate preparedness of the nation for medical emergencies and epidemics.
“The inadequate supply of personal protective equipment and other medical logistics needs to be improved,” they said.
They also advised that due diligence must be followed at all times in order not to expose public figures like the president to the disease as it happened during his visit to the school upon hearing of the outbreak of H1N1 influenza.
“We reiterate our previous call to government for the setting up of at least two National Infectious Disease Centres – one in the southern sector and the other in the northern sector to facilitate prompt diagnosis, service delivery, research and teaching,” they pointed out.
The GMA called for an improved school health system, adding that the linkage of the school health system to specified health facilities must be strengthened.
Health professionals were also advised to be circumspect with media reportage on health matters in such emergencies.
The PSGH, on their part, called on their colleagues, especially those in community practice, to be on the look-out for flu-like signs and symptoms and help in early detection by prompt referral of any suspected H1N1 infection.
“The moment you identify the symptoms of meningitis and H1N1 influenza which includes, fever headache, neck stiffness, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and fatigue, diarrhea and vomiting, please refer to the nearest health facility that can manage the case,” they said.
The PSGH also advised the public with any of the symptoms to visit their community pharmacies and general practitioners as soon as possible, as delay may lead to complications and irreversible damages.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri