Ghana is facing a worsening bacterial meningitis outbreak in the Upper West Region, putting immense pressure on the healthcare system. With cases rising from 42 to 60 and 14 reported deaths, health authorities are urgently working to contain the disease and provide life-saving treatment.
In response, the World Health Organization (WHO) has stepped in with critical medical and logistical support. WHO has donated 10,600 vials of Ceftriaxone, a powerful antibiotic used to treat meningitis, valued at approximately $23,000. Ghana’s Minister of Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, officially received the donation in Accra, immediately passing it on to Ghana Health Service (GHS) Director-General Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea for rapid distribution to affected communities.
Speaking at the handover, Dr. Frank Lule, WHO Ghana’s Officer in Charge, reaffirmed WHO’s commitment, stating, “This donation is a testament to our ongoing support for Ghana’s health systems. If more vials are needed, we are ready to provide additional assistance.”
Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh emphasized the importance of WHO’s intervention, noting that Ghana is managing multiple health crises and this timely support is essential. He added that he would highlight WHO’s role in a parliamentary briefing on the country’s response efforts.
To further bolster Ghana’s meningitis response, WHO has deployed Dr. Nicolō Binello, a specialist in Meningitis and Epidemic Bacterial Diseases from its headquarters in Geneva. Dr. Binello will collaborate with national and local health authorities to enhance clinical care and epidemic control strategies.
Ghana’s health officials have also ramped up public awareness campaigns, urging citizens to seek immediate medical attention if they experience meningitis symptoms. Additionally, the government has ensured that meningitis treatment is available free of charge at all health facilities to eliminate financial barriers and reduce fatalities.
The ongoing partnership between WHO, Ghana’s health authorities, and local communities underscores a unified effort to combat the outbreak. Through strategic interventions, expert guidance, and resource mobilization, Ghana is intensifying its fight against meningitis to safeguard public health and prevent further loss of life.
