The Central Regional Minister, Ekow Okyere Panin, has pledged to implement 24-hour sanitary inspectors across the region, especially in the fishing communities, to arrest and prosecute those polluting the environment and reduce the spread of the Cholera outbreak in the region.
Central Regional Minister, Hon. Ekow Okyer Aduamoah Panyin, who toured the Effutu Municipality to assess the situation regarding the recent cholera outbreak.
During his visit, he expressed satisfaction with the efforts of the Effutu Municipal Health Director and the Municipal Coordinating Director in organizing a cleanup exercise.
The Minister emphasized the importance of regular cleanup exercises as a preventive measure against diseases rather than waiting for outbreaks to occur.
He also announced plans to discuss the reintroduction of communalabouror with the President of Ghana to enhance cleanliness in various communities across the country.
The cholera outbreak in the Effutu Municipality has resulted in 420 suspected cases, with three confirmed deaths and 30 confirmed cases.
The situation has sparked concerns among residents, and the Minister’s visit aims to reassure them of the government’s commitment to addressing the issue.
The Directorate has urged residents to adhere to good sanitation and hygiene practices to prevent the spread of the disease.
The Minister’s tour and the government’s efforts to combat the cholera outbreak demonstrate their commitment to ensuring the health and well-being of Ghanaians.
He added that the district assemblies are taking a strong stance against poor sanitation practices in the Municipality.
The assemblies have by-laws in place that will be enforced to ensure effective sanitation management.
This move aims to tackle the issue of indiscriminate dumping of rubbish and promote proper waste disposal practices.
Residents who fail to use the provided dust bins for disposing of rubbish are being urged to change their habits.
Moreover, sanitary inspectors will be deployed to monitor the shores 24/7, targeting individuals who defecate in these areas at night and dawn.
This measure seeks to curb the menace of open defecation and promote a cleaner environment.
The enforcement of these by-laws is a crucial step towards maintaining good sanitation practices in the Effutu Municipality.
By working together, the district assemblies, residents, and sanitary inspectors can create a cleaner, healthier environment for everyone.
Effective sanitation management is not only a civic responsibility but also a right. Citizens have the right to live in a clean and healthy environment, and it is the duty of the authorities to ensure that this right is protected.
The deployment of sanitary inspectors is a proactive approach to addressing the issue of open defecation.
By monitoring the shores 24/7, which is under the 24 hr economic policy, these inspectors can identify and address the root causes of poor sanitation practices.
On his part, the Dr. Douglas Amponsah, the acting Medical Director of the Winneba Municipal Hospital in an interview with Ghone news Yaw Boagyan, highlighted the significant progress made in addressing the cholera outbreak.
Initially,the hospital faced challenges in getting patients to seek medical attention on time.
However, due to intensive education and sensitization efforts, patients are now arriving at the hospital promptly, and the ward is full every day.
While this increased turnout is a positive development, it has also created new challenges for the hospital.
Dr. Amponsah emphasized the urgent need for additional logistics and drugs to effectively manage the influx of patients.
Many patients are presenting with co-morbidities such as malaria, typhoid fever, diabetes, and hypertension, which require a broader range of medications and medical supplies.
Meanwhile, the Central Regional Minister has assured that he will do his best to stop the spreading of the disease.
Source: Yaw Boagyan