The Central Regional Health Directorate has expressed concern over the surge in cholera cases, as inconsistent water supply continues to affect residents.
Officials warn that if authorities do not address the water crisis, residents could face a heightened risk of infection.
In an interview with JoyNews on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, the Deputy Director of Public Health in the Central Region, Dr. Joojo Cobbinah, stated that the lack of access to potable water is one of the key reasons for the surge in infections in the region.
“Cholera thrives in the absence of water; people might not get access to water to wash their hands, flush their water closets, clean their vegetables properly, even the disposal of waste at a point might require water. If we don’t have water, one of the preventative measures is hand washing. Imagine we don’t have hand washing facilities at different points when people aggregate, it becomes difficult to contain and eliminate the cholera situation.
“The leadership of our communities, our districts, should take steps to ensure the provision of water. This will mean we need to bring in tankers with water to come and support these communities who do not have water,” he stated.
According to data from the Regional Health Directorate, 14 persons have died of cholera in the region since the first case was recorded in late October 2024.
One hundred and eighty cases have been confirmed out of 1,929 suspected cases recorded in the region, while 28 others are still receiving treatment at various health facilities.
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
