<<Print>>

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly(AMA) has confirmed 11 deaths from cholera in two weeks and called for strict adherence to basic hygiene practices to curb the spread of the disease in the Metropolis. At a press conference in Accra, the Health Director of the AMA, Dr. Simpson Anim Boateng, said five of the deaths were recorded at Maamobi Polyclinic, two at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, one at 37 Military Hospital, one at La Hospital, one at Ridge Hospital and one at a private facility. The press conference comes in the wake of a cholera alert issued by health officials some few weeks ago. The AMA has admitted that the poor sanitation in the Metropolis was likely to trigger an outbreak of Cholera and other water borne diseases. Dr Boateng said AMA officials are already sensitizing residents especially food vendors on the need to observe personal and food hygiene to stop further spread of the outbreak. The Health Director of the AMA indicated that food vendors who prepared food under unhygienic conditions would be prosecuted. He noted that though Accra should have about 2000 environmental officers, its 150 officers are working under much strain and urged the public to help by reporting such recalcitrant people as well as household without toilets. According to him, a recent survey by the Assembly had revealed that most houses in the Metropolis did not have toilet facilities, resulting in the indiscriminate defecation into drains and open spaces. �The general environment is therefore fatally contaminated." Though the situation had improved, the condition, he said, was a potential trigger for outbreak of cholera and other diseases. The Assembly is therefore cautioning the entire resident population to be careful of the food they eat and the water they take. �The general public should avoid buying food exposed to flies and other unhygienic conditions. Wash your hands with soap under clean running water after using the toilet, before eating and before preparing food, wash all fruits and vegetables, thoroughly with water before eating them and only eat hot cooked food�� Due to the reported cases of cholera in parts of the Metropolis, persons who experienced frequent loose watery stool and frequent vomiting should rush to the nearest health facility for free treatment. Food vendors have also be urged to cover their foods against dust and flies, wash all plates and cooking utensils thoroughly before and after use,use proper toilet facilities and avoid open defecation, while observing clean and healthier environment, he said. He gave the assurance that all government health facilities in the Greater Accra Region had been equipped to handle all cholera cases.