The Effutu Municipal Assembly in the Central Region has declared its plans to launch a cholera immunization drive in the Effutu area, beginning February 25, 2025.

As outlined by the Municipal Health Directorate, the program will first be rolled out in Effutu East and West, where the outbreak has been most severe.

This vaccination exercise seeks to enhance people’s resistance to the infection and curb its transmission.

Speaking on February 20, Municipal Health Director Paulette Brown highlighted the necessity of the campaign.

Her comments followed a donation of 100 mattresses to medical centers in Effutu by Member of Parliament Alexander Afenyo-Markin.

“The vaccines are already in the central region and it will start from February 25. For Effutu, most of the cases are in the Effutu West and East and we will start administering the vaccines from that side. I want to caution people against the myth surrounding the vaccines. They must know that it is only meant to build immunity and protect you for some time.

“We will also continue with health talks around the community to sensitize residents. There are no new cases and we are praying that when we start the vaccines, the spread will quickly halt,” Paulette Brown the Municipal Health Director said.

She acknowledged Alexander Afenyo-Markin’s generosity in providing mattresses to multiple healthcare centers in Effutu.

She pointed out that limited personnel movement poses a major obstacle to effective contact tracing.

“We still have difficulty with mobility issues and health professionals struggle with movement around the community doing contact tracing. The MP and the Directorate have done their best and we want other stakeholders to support us by providing vehicles so that we will be able to cover as much as we can. At this moment contact tracing we have only one car and we are struggling,” the Municipal Director said.

Former Effutu Municipal Chief Executive, Kassim Zubeiru, who handed over the mattresses on behalf of Effutu MP Alexander Afenyo-Markin, described the donation as crucial and well-timed in safeguarding lives.

“We understand that the facilities in Effutu are overwhelmed by the numbers and so the mattresses will help some of these challenges,” Kassim Zubeiru said.