Five people from the Northern, Upper West and Savannah regions have died of meningitis this year.
Two deaths occurred in Upper West, two in Northern and one in the Savannah Region.
About 57 suspected cases have been reported nationwide, although most tested negative.
This was made known during a visit to Saboba in the Northern Region by the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea.
He urged the public to report to health facilities promptly, and said financial constraints should not be a barrier to seeking care.
“I appeal to the general public to present at our health facilities as quickly as possible. Financial situation should not be a barrier,” he stressed.
Dr. Akoriyea said necessary medications have been distributed to health facilities, especially those that have recorded meningitis cases.
“The President, through the Finance Ministry, has instructed that we procure and distribute the necessary medications to treat diseases of this nature. We have distributed supplies to all the affected areas, and hospitals are well equipped to handle any case,” he stated.
He added that efforts are underway to educate the public about meningitis through chiefs, opinion leaders, health staff and other stakeholders, and disclosed that teams will visit the Savannah, Upper West and other regions to ensure the campaign is effective.
The Chief of Saboba, Ubor Bowan Mateer John Sakojim IV, has pledged to serve as a regional ambassador for meningitis education.
Meningitis remains seasonal, peaking during the dry, extremely hot months that affect northern Ghana and other savannah areas.
FROM Eric Kombat