The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has assured the public that no cholera outbreak has been recorded in the aftermath of the June 29 floods, but has cautioned that preventive measures remain critical to avert a potential public health crisis.
Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, disclosed this during a disinfection exercise at Tema Station Market and the Adabraka Polyclinic on Saturday, July 11. The exercise was undertaken in collaboration with the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly and sanitation partner LCB Worldwide.
“Fortunately, as of now, we don’t have any registered cholera outbreak. But prevention is key. We don’t need to wait for an outbreak before acting. Treatment is extremely costly,” Dr. Akoriyea said.
His remarks come in the wake of the devastating June 29 floods, which exposed significant sanitation challenges across several parts of the country. The floods left heaps of refuse, clogged drains and stagnant water, raising concerns over the possible outbreak of waterborne diseases.
Dr. Akoriyea explained that the ongoing disinfection campaign forms part of broader efforts to safeguard public health following the nationwide clean-up exercise ordered by President John Dramani Mahama.
According to him, cleaning flood-affected communities alone is not enough, stressing that disinfecting public spaces is equally essential to prevent the spread of diseases.
“After cleaning, the next step is disinfection and fumigation to avoid outbreaks of cholera, typhoid and other illnesses,” he stated.
The nationwide clean-up exercise, which took place on July 10 and 11, mobilised government institutions, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, security agencies, businesses and residents to clear waste and desilt drains in communities affected by the floods as part of measures to reduce future flood risks and protect public health.
