The Ghana Medical Association has raised concerns about the non-inclusion of Minister of Health or his representative in the inter-ministerial committee set up to coordinate government’s response to the damage caused by spillage of water from the Akosombo and Kpong dams.
According to the Acting General Secretary of the Ghana Medical Association, Dr Richard Selormey, the health sector has a vital role to play in such a disaster.
“In such an emergency, the health sector plays a big role, there will be scarcity and struggle for social amenities like water, and health care. Hence outbreak of communicable diseases like cholera, typhoid and malaria”.
“While feaces and household items will be seen floating on the surfaces of the flood water, causing cuts and wounds, such areas are prone to Bilharzia and snake bites. Therefore, the health ministry should be included in this inter-ministerial committee to give the necessary logistics and support to the victims” he said on the Ghana Tonight show on TV3, October 16, 2023.
About 12,000 people have been displaced in the Volta and some parts of the Eastern regions as a result of the spillage.
The inter-ministerial committee is headed by the Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare. The other committee members include ministers from National Security, Interior, Defence, Energy, Finance, Local Government, Works and Housing, Roads and Highways, Environment, Sanitation, Lands and Natural Resources and Information.
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Dr Richard Selormey added that “These are risks we should look out for. Definitely, there might be pregnant and old people among such victims. Schools, toilet and sanitary facilities cannot be assessed and that is why we need to hammer on the need for regular handwashing among the affected persons to avoid worse outbreaks and emergency situations.
He said the GMA has deployed its members to assist the victims, “We have a section of our members around, led by our volta regional chairperson, Dr Kwaku Apiagyei, while others are expected to join on Tuesday, 17th October,2023 to help in the rescue. We also have pharmacists on ground to provide ORS, first aid and medication while we have also provided funds, bottled water to help these displaced victims” he added.
The Ghana Medical Association also called on other corporate institutions to help the victims as the Volta River Authority intends to spill more water soon.
By Clara Boadi Konadu