Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has assured Ghanaians that no case of Ebola has been recorded in the country or anywhere in West Africa, even as the government intensifies preventive measures following the World Health Organisation’s declaration of the outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Addressing the nation in Accra on Thursday, May 21, the Minister urged calm but stressed the need for heightened vigilance and strict adherence to safety protocols to prevent any possible outbreak in Ghana.

“Dear countrymen and women, the Ministry of Health over the past one week has issued two publications on Ebola. Last week, WHO declared Ebola as a public health emergency of international concern,” he said.

Mr. Akandoh explained that Ebola is a highly dangerous viral disease transmitted through direct contact with infected blood, body fluids, secretions, or contaminated materials.

“Ebola is a viral disease spread through direct contact with blood, body fluids, secretions, and contaminated surfaces or materials,” he stated.

He warned that individuals experiencing symptoms such as sudden fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, or unexplained bleeding should immediately seek medical attention at the nearest health facility.

“People experiencing symptoms such as sudden fever, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or unexplained bleeding should immediately report to the nearest health facility,” the Minister advised.

Despite growing global concern over the outbreak, the Health Minister stressed that Ghana remains free of the virus.

“It is important to note that no cases have been recorded in West Africa, including our dear country, Ghana. However, it is said prevention is always better than cure,” he said.

The Ministry of Health has already issued public advisories urging citizens to practice regular hand hygiene and observe safety measures, particularly during public events and mass gatherings.

As part of the renewed preventive campaign, Mr. Akandoh called on Ghanaians to frequently wash their hands with soap under running water or use alcohol-based hand sanitisers.

“One, practice good hand hygiene. What this means is that we should wash our hands frequently with soap and running water or use hand sanitizers,” he said.

He also directed organisers of public gatherings to make handwashing facilities and sanitisers readily available.

“During mass gatherings, please also practice good hand hygiene and event organizers should provide hand washing stations and hand sanitizers,” he added.

The Minister further sought to reassure the public that the government is actively monitoring the situation and strengthening preparedness measures across the country.

“Dear countrymen and women, it is important to stress that presently the risk is low in Ghana. I would like to use this opportunity to assure everybody that the government is taking all the necessary measures to protect us all,” he said.

The WHO recently declared the Ebola outbreak in parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo a Public Health Emergency of International Concern after hundreds of suspected infections and dozens of deaths were reported.

Although the outbreak is currently concentrated in Central and East Africa, health authorities worldwide have heightened surveillance amid fears of cross-border transmission.

In Ghana, the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service say surveillance, screening, preparedness, and response systems have been intensified at health facilities and points of entry to safeguard public health.

citinewsroom.com

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has suspended three pharmacies from participating in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) over what it describes as suspected fraudulent claims and irregular service transactions.

In a public notice issued on Thursday, May 14, the NHIA announced that the affected facilities have been placed under “immediate temporary suspension” following a routine claims verification exercise.

The suspended pharmacies are DELDEM PHARMA LIMITED, PARAMEDICA PHARMACY and DESH CHEMIST.

According to the NHIA, the suspension takes effect on May 14.

The NHIA said investigations uncovered “material irregularities in claims and service transactions associated with these facilities”.

It added that the findings had “raised reasonable suspicion of fraud and abuse under the NHIS Provider Service Agreement”.

As part of the suspension, the pharmacies will no longer be allowed to provide services or dispense medicines under the NHIS until further notice.

“The pharmacies are not permitted to provide services or dispense medicines under the NHIS during the suspension,” the statement said.

The NHIA has therefore advised NHIS members seeking pharmaceutical services to visit other accredited providers across the country.

“NHIS members who require pharmaceutical services are encouraged to seek care from other credentialed NHIS providers nationwide,” the NHIA stated.

The NHIA also issued a strong warning to all accredited healthcare providers, stressing that it would not tolerate practices that threaten the sustainability of the scheme.

“The Authority will not tolerate fraudulent or abusive practices that undermine the sustainability of the NHIS, which may deprive members of quality healthcare services,” the statement warned.

The Authority further reminded service providers of the legal consequences of defrauding the Scheme.

“A healthcare provider providing services under the National Health Insurance Scheme who defrauds or attempts to defraud the Scheme commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine or a term of imprisonment of not more than ten (10) years or both,” the notice added.

The statement, signed by the Chief Executive of the NHIA, Dr. Victor Asare Bampoe, reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to accountability and the proper use of public funds.

“The NHIA remains committed to ensuring transparency, accountability, and the prudent use of public funds in delivering accessible and quality healthcare to all residents of Ghana,” the statement said.

myjoyonline.com

Ms. Doris Ocansey, the Adolescent Health Focal Person at the Tema Metropolitan Health Directorate, has cautioned adolescents and young people against the frequent use of emergency contraceptive pills, warning that abuse could have adverse health implications.

She explained that emergency contraceptive pills contained significantly higher levels of hormones compared to standard daily contraceptives.

Ms. Ocansey noted that while regular contraceptive pills were designed to be taken over a 28-day cycle, emergency pills were intended strictly for use within 24 to 48 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse.

She cautioned that repeated intake of such high hormonal doses, which the body did not require on a regular basis, could result in menstrual irregularities and possible fertility challenges.

Ms. Ocansey emphasized the need for health personnel to continue promoting abstinence among adolescents and young people, even though many were sexually active.

She said that while condoms and other contraceptive methods were available, condoms remained the only option that provided dual protection against sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. She added, however, that condoms did not offer 100 percent protection.

According to her, abstinence remained the only guaranteed way of preventing both unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

Touching on defilement and rape, Ms. Ocansey said healthcare providers were often the first point of contact for victims of sexual abuse.

She explained that while medical personnel provided immediate care, including testing and treatment for infections, responsibility for social interventions such as reporting cases to the appropriate authorities fell within the mandate of the District Social Welfare Office.

On abortion, Ms. Ocansey highlighted the health risks associated with the practice, particularly among young girls.

Responding to questions about allegations of healthcare workers performing abortions privately in their homes, she clarified that such acts were illegal and constituted a criminal offense.

She urged health professionals to report colleagues found to be engaging in such unlawful practices.

Ms. Ocansey advised young people against unsafe termination of pregnancies and encouraged them to seek care from recognized health institutions for their medical needs, rather than resorting to harmful concoctions and presenting at hospitals only when complications arose.

graphic.com.gh