Ghana has stepped up its Ebola watch as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to grapple with a surge in cases and deaths. Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has activated the country's surveillance systems at airports and other entry points to prevent the spread of the disease.
Heightened Preparedness
The heightened preparedness follows a significant increase in Ebola cases in the DRC, raising fears of possible cross-border transmission. Ghana is working with the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research to strengthen testing and response capacity.
The Minister said Ghana has supported the procurement of the necessary reagents and equipment to aid in the fight against Ebola. "As a country, we put the necessary steps in place, right from the airport to our surveillance centres. We have activated our systems to prevent it in the first place, and as and when we also have it, we are ready to combat it," he said.
Regional Cooperation
Mr. Akandoh has called for stronger regional cooperation among African countries to improve preparedness and prevent outbreaks from crossing borders. He emphasized the need for countries in the region to share information, expertise, and technology to combat the spread of the disease.
"We do not have to wait until there's an outbreak before we start putting things together," he said. The Minister commended the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) for its coordination efforts but said there was a need to deepen collaboration among countries across the sub-region.
Lessons from Previous Outbreaks
The Minister said lessons from previous health emergencies, including COVID-19, Marburg, and Mpox outbreaks, underscore the importance of early detection, rapid containment, and sustained preparedness. He stressed the need for African countries to strengthen local production capacity for essential health commodities and build a coordinated regional response system.
Ghana's efforts to combat Ebola come at a time when the country is also dealing with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Minister's emphasis on regional cooperation highlights the need for African countries to work together to address the region's health challenges.
The country's preparedness is a welcome development, but it remains to be seen whether Ghana's efforts will be enough to prevent the spread of the disease. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the fight against Ebola requires a coordinated regional response.
Source: Joy Online
