The districts of North Tongu, South Tongu, and Central Tongu in the Volta Region have been designated as a public health emergency zone due to the increased risk of cholera, typhoid fever, and other waterborne diseases in areas affected by flooding. Following the overflow from the Akosombo and Kpong dams, there is an anticipation of a significant increase in malaria incidents within the impacted regions.
Dr Senanu Kwesi Djokoto, the Regional Director of Public Health, revealed this information during a private interview in Mepe yesterday. “He stated that we currently face a threat to public health and it is necessary to utilize all available measures for public health emergencies in order to control the situation.” He warned that without urgent action, the group of women, children, and elderly individuals who are at risk would experience the greatest hardships.
According to Dr. Djokoto, the Regional Public Health Emergency Operations Centre and the Rapid Response Team have been mobilized and are actively working to handle the situation.
In the meantime, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has established emergency operation centers in the heavily affected district of North Tongu. These centers will oversee and coordinate all activities related to the disaster.
Dr. Djokoto stated that the case management team has established an isolation center at Battor Catholic Hospital which is currently operational. He explained that a significant effort was being made to supply medical and non-medical items to the areas that are impacted.
Dr Djokoto mentioned that a considerable amount of healthcare professionals had been sent to the areas that were impacted, but he did not provide the exact figure. He brought up the absence of sufficient housing for relocated health workers and the insufficient availability of clean drinking water, particularly in the secure areas and heavily affected communities.
These are obstacles that hinder the efforts in resolving the situation. In Mepe, the residents are dealing with the unpleasant odor caused by the extensively contaminated flood waters.
The flood contained a significant amount of waste from the community pit latrines, according to Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, the Regional Minister. He reassured that the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) would maintain its close collaboration with NADMO in order to guarantee a sufficient provision of clean drinking water to the public.
He pleaded with the people to avoid drinking untreated water from the local surroundings.