The Ashanti Regional Health Director, Dr. Fred Adomako Boateng, has called on health institutions, media, and individuals to actively promote better sanitation and hygiene practices to build a healthier nation.
He emphasized that handwashing with soap before meals and after using the toilet is often neglected, which could increase the risk of a cholera outbreak.
Dr. Adomako Boateng’s remarks came during a media launch aimed at raising cholera awareness following recent cases reported in Ada East and Ada West in the Greater Accra Region. Although the Ashanti Region has not recorded any cases, health officials, in partnership with UNICEF and WHO, are proactively educating the public to prevent an outbreak.
Cholera, an acute diarrheal disease caused by ingesting food or water contaminated with the vibrio cholerae bacterium, poses a significant health risk, particularly in areas with inadequate sanitation and clean water.
The disease can cause severe dehydration and can be fatal within hours if untreated. Globally, between 1.3 million and 4 million cases of cholera are reported annually, leading to approximately 21,000 to 143,000 deaths, according to the World Health Organization.
Dr. Adomako Boateng emphasized the importance of public awareness to prevent the spread of cholera, stating, “Although the Ashanti Region hasn’t recorded any case of cholera, it’s crucial to raise awareness so people can stay informed and protected.”
The awareness campaign will adopt a comprehensive approach, incorporating surveillance, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) initiatives, social mobilization, treatment, and oral cholera vaccines. Dr. Boateng stressed the effectiveness of prompt treatment, particularly the administration of oral rehydration solution (ORS), in managing cholera. “Cholera is easily treatable with prompt ORS administration; an adult with moderate dehydration might need up to 6 liters of ORS on the first day,” he noted.
He also highlighted the need for long-term solutions, including economic development and universal access to safe drinking water and sanitation, to prevent future outbreaks.
“The lasting solution for cholera control lies in economic development and universal access to safe water and sanitation,” Dr. Boateng added, emphasizing that sustainable WASH initiatives would foster safer environmental conditions.
Dr. Boateng advised the public, especially in the Ashanti Region, to adopt preventive measures, such as consuming hygienic food, using safe water, washing hands frequently with soap, and practicing safe sanitation.
By adhering to these practices, the region can reduce its risk of cholera and contribute to a healthier community.
Source – Isaac Asiedu
