Reports Reaching the Daily Heritage from the Central Regional capital, Cape Coast, indicate that more than 200 cases of cholera have been recorded in the various health facilities in the region, depicting an increase from the initial figure of 157 cases.
The most recent cases have been attributed to infected persons transmitting the disease to others.
In an interview with various media houses in the country, the Deputy Regional Director of Health in charge of public health at the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Kweku Karikari, said combating the epidemic requires joint responsibility of the assembly and the general public.
“As we speak now, we have recorded over 200 cases with no death; the only challenge now is the attitudinal change of people on how to practise hand-washing habit every day. The only good thing is that it has not spread to the other districts unlike two years ago, where there were too many deaths in the whole country,” Dr Karikari said.
He noted that until Ghanaians change their attitude, the disease will continue to claim lives every year and urged the assemblies to increase their effort in enforcing environmental laws.
“When people fail to do what they are supposed to do and end up at the hospitals, we, the health professionals, are the ones who have to talk about it, but the issues are clear. The various assemblies must monitor the sanitation situation in their districts to avoid further spread of diseases. People who sell food and other consumables must have routine screening, as well as the environment in which they prepare their food,” he added.
Dr. Karikari said when there are no epidemic, people just relax and go back to their old habits.
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