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First Deputy Speaker Directs Ghana Health Service to Act on Meningitis Outbreak
The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Bernard Ahiafor, has directed the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to take immediate steps to contain the outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM), which has claimed 14 lives in the Upper West Region.
With 60 recorded cases and a case fatality rate of 23.33%, concerns are mounting over the rapid spread of the disease and the need for urgent intervention.
Delivering a statement on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, February 6, Dr. Sebastian Sandare, the Member of Parliament for Daffiama Bussie Issa, called for swift government action.
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“This calls for urgent, enhanced disease control measures,” he urged. “I appeal to the government, the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organisation, UNICEF, and other stakeholders to mobilise technical, financial, and logistical support immediately to help control and prevent the outbreak.”
Dr. Sandare also emphasised the need for cross-border collaboration to prevent further spread and proposed the creation of a Public Health Emergency Fund to ensure sustained resources for handling current and future outbreaks.
Adding to the discussion, Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh criticised health authorities for their delayed response to the outbreak. He insisted that the GHS be summoned to Parliament to explain the situation.
“We don’t have the Minister of Health sworn in yet, but we have the Ghana Health Service. We can’t always blame politicians,” he argued. “Public health officials, who are paid with taxpayers’ money, must be held accountable.”
He questioned whether the outbreak was due to a vaccine shortage or negligence, warning that failure to act swiftly could lead to a worsening crisis.
“There must be a way for the Ghana Health Service to come and explain to us: Is it the case that we are lacking vaccines? Is it the case that they never knew about this? Are they sleeping on the job? What is happening?” he asked.
Annoh-Dompreh further stressed that preventable diseases like CSM should not be claiming lives.
“We can’t continue allowing such basic ailments to take lives. The Ghana Health Service must go to the aid of the poor people in the Upper West; otherwise, the situation will spiral out of control,” he warned.
Responding to the concerns raised, First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor ordered the Ministry of Health to take immediate remedial action.
“The Ministry of Health must create awareness, conduct contact tracing, intensify medical care for affected victims, and consider establishing a Public Health Emergency Fund to handle outbreaks,” he directed.
With CSM cases on the rise, stakeholders are expected to act swiftly to prevent further fatalities and contain the spread of the disease.
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