Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has assured the public that Ghana is prepared to prevent and respond to a possible Ebola outbreak, urging citizens to remain calm as authorities strengthen the country’s health surveillance systems.
The minister said several precautionary measures had been introduced, including thermal screening at airports, electronic health declaration forms, enhanced laboratory testing and isolation facilities to ensure suspected cases could be identified and managed promptly.
Mr Akandoh gave the assurance during a visit to Kotoka International Airport on Wednesday, October 28, where he inspected measures aimed at improving health screening at Ghana’s entry points and preparing the country for a possible outbreak.
“We are praying we don’t record any case, but if we do, we are ready to do the needful. So we should not be afraid,” he said.
He explained that thermal scanners had been installed at the airport to help detect passengers who might require further medical assessment. Electronic health declaration forms have also been reviewed to strengthen passenger screening and support contact tracing if an infection is suspected or confirmed.
According to the minister, passengers arriving in Ghana through the country’s airports would be required to complete the revised health declaration forms. The information collected would help health officials assess potential health risks and trace individuals who might have come into contact with an infected person.
Mr Akandoh further indicated that efforts were underway to strengthen Ghana’s diagnostic capacity to ensure suspected Ebola cases could be tested without unnecessary delays.
He identified the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR) and the national reference laboratory as key facilities that could assist in the detection and confirmation of suspected infections.
The minister also highlighted the availability of an infectious disease treatment centre where patients could be isolated and receive appropriate care if an outbreak occurred.
He said the combination of airport surveillance, laboratory testing and isolation arrangements was intended to improve the country’s ability to detect potential cases early and prevent further transmission.
Although the government remained hopeful that Ghana would not record an Ebola case, Mr Akandoh maintained that the necessary preparations were being strengthened to protect public health.
He urged Ghanaians to remain calm, stressing that the country had put measures in place to respond effectively should a suspected case emerge.
By: Prince Martey-Sogar.