Stakeholders Orientation On Covid-19 And MPox Diseases By GHS ∕ USAID Break Through Action Project
January 26, 2023
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A one-day orientation was held at Ebenezer Methodist Church, Prampram. The meeting brought together the Risk Control and Community Engagement (RCCE) officers from the Ashaiman Municipality and the Ningo Prampram District Assembly, to discuss the overview of the MPox disease (Monkey Pox) and Covid-19.
The programmes is aimed at collaborating with stakeholders with capacity to address and respond to vaccine related myths, misinformation and misconceptions to create demand and uptake of WHO approved vaccines, as well as sensitise people to take action that will prevent community spread of monkey pox and covid-19.
The District Health Director, Madam Gifty Ofori Ansah welcomed all participants and facilitators, she briefed the House on the need to come together and drive Covid- 19 and Monkey Pox (M. pox) away, she said all should continue to adhere to all the measures to curb the Covid- 19 and the new M. Pox diseases.
She acknowledged the effort of the two traditional councils during the initial outbreak of the Covid-19 Era and the vaccination exercises carried out.
Dr. Farida Njelba Abdulai from the Greater Accra Regional Health Directorate emphasized on the need for awareness creation. According to her, people think Mpox is chicken pox. This is as a result of similarities in signs and symptoms including fever, chills, cold, severe weakness, rashes among other. She added that Mpox was declared a pandemic on 23rd January, 2022 recording over 85100 cases globally and 110 countries with Ghana recording 116 cases in 48 districts of 14 regions except the Savannah and Western regions with 4 deaths, he urged all to visit health centres when such signs show up. She ended up adding that Mpox can spread from animals to humans and from humans to humans.
Mr Richard Sango, a representative from the Breakthrough Action highlighted on the dangers of misinformation and rumours. Misinformation he said, is information that is incorrect and should be addressed first by listening, verifying, and engaging the people.
This he said will encourage people to take the vaccines especially for covid-19. He also called for education by other government stakeholders to help community members report early at the nearest health centres for treatment.
Also in attendance were the queen mother of the Prampram Traditional Council, the Chief Fisherman for the Prampram area, heads of department for the Assembly, including Officers from the Red Cross Society, NCCE Representatives, Information officers, Environmental Health Officers for the Ningo Prampram District Assembly and officers from the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly.