The government has stepped up measures to prevent and respond to a possible Ebola outbreak in Ghana, with enhanced passenger screening, laboratory testing and isolation facilities forming part of the country’s preparedness strategy.
The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, said the measures were intended to ensure the early detection and effective management of any suspected case, urging the public to remain calm.
Speaking during a visit to Kotoka International Airport on Wednesday, October 28, the minister said thermal scanners had been installed to screen incoming passengers, while electronic health declaration forms had been reviewed to strengthen surveillance and facilitate contact tracing.
“We are praying we don’t record any case, but if we do, we are ready to do the needful. So we should not be afraid,” he said.
Mr Akandoh explained that the electronic declaration forms had been amended following further reviews, with plans to require passengers arriving in Ghana through the country’s airports to complete them.
He said the information collected would enable health authorities to assess passengers and trace individuals who might have come into contact with an infected person if a suspected or confirmed case were identified.
The minister said the government was also strengthening the country’s laboratory capacity to support the timely testing and diagnosis of suspected Ebola cases.
He cited the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR) and the national reference laboratory as facilities that could support the country’s diagnostic efforts.
In addition, he pointed to the availability of an infectious disease treatment centre to provide isolation and care for patients should an outbreak occur.
Mr Akandoh’s assurance comes as Ghana intensifies its preparedness efforts against the possibility of Ebola cases being detected in the country.
The measures outlined by the minister focus on screening at points of entry, gathering health information from arriving passengers, improving diagnostic capacity and ensuring facilities are available to manage suspected infections.
He urged the public not to panic, stressing that the government had put measures in place to respond should a case be detected.
