Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has assured that the Meningitis outbreak in the Upper West Region is being managed effectively, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts to fully tackle the situation.

He pointed out that while the government and health authorities are implementing stringent measures to curb the spread, residents must also take initiative by seeking medical care immediately upon noticing Meningitis symptoms. Swift diagnosis, he stressed, is essential for proper treatment and recovery.

The Minister disclosed that no deaths had been reported in the last week, noting, “I am excited that the situation is under control.”

Mr. Akandoh made these remarks in Wa during an official visit to evaluate the status of the Meningitis outbreak in the region.

Accompanying him were the Acting Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Professor Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, along with officials from his Ministry and the Ghana Health Service.

The region had so far recorded 94 suspected Meningitis cases across eight districts and municipalities, with 20 confirmed infections and 14 fatalities. The hardest-hit areas were the Nadowli-Kaleo District and Nandom Municipality.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to tackling the outbreak, Mr. Akandoh announced the deployment of a rapid response team to strengthen healthcare services, including specialized training for medical personnel in managing Meningitis cases.

He pointed out that financial difficulties had led to delays in seeking medical attention, despite symptoms such as neck stiffness, coughing, and sneezing.

To address this challenge, the government introduced free treatment for affected individuals in high-risk districts, provided they had valid health insurance and showed symptoms.

As part of the intervention, the minister supplied the Nadowli-Kaleo Health Directorate with boxes of antibiotics to aid in the treatment of Meningitis.

During his tour, he held discussions with healthcare workers at the Regional and Nadowli-Kaleo District Health Directorates, the Nadowli District Hospital, and the Upper West Regional Hospital.

The Minister commended the selfless efforts of the healthcare workers and encouraged them to remain steadfast in delivering essential medical services.

“Their all” to the fight against Meningitis, saying, “If we all put our heads together we can create a strong health system in the country.”

“We will continue to do our best to encourage you (health staff) to have a smooth running of the facilities to be able to contain the situation. What is very important is that the number of deaths is drastically reducing,” he explained.

Mr. Akandoh called on healthcare providers to maintain a high standard of patient care, warning against any inappropriate behavior that could result in sanctions.

The team also visited Queen of Peace Senior High School in Nadowli, where cases of Meningitis had been identified, to engage with school officials on effective measures for curbing and managing the outbreak.