The Western Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has received 20,000 doses of the Mpox vaccine to begin a 21-day vaccination exercise aimed at saving lives and halting the spread of the disease.
According to the Regional Public Health Director, Dr. Gifty Amugi, the campaign will begin with an intensive four-day phase in the most affected communities, followed by a normal delivery phase over the remaining 17 days. She assured the public that the vaccines have been approved by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and are safe for use.
Currently, the Western Region has 59 active cases of Mpox spread across 13 districts, with two deaths recorded so far.
Dr. Amugi disclosed this during the Sub-National Launch of the Mpox Vaccine held in New Takoradi, which was attended by departmental heads and district health directors of the GHS.
Launching the campaign, Acting Director-General of the GHS, Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, announced that 1,800 clinicians and health staff have already been trained in surveillance and response. “Our newest hope is the vaccination; we cannot afford to lose people to this preventable condition,” he said, while expressing appreciation to frontline health workers and volunteers.
The vaccination will first target health workers, close contacts of confirmed cases, and residents in seven high-risk districts.
Dr. Akoriyea urged the public to continue observing preventive measures such as regular handwashing and avoiding contact with infected persons or contaminated materials.
The Western Regional Director of Health, Dr. Marion Okoe, said the exercise would complement ongoing efforts in surveillance, case management, and home care.
Representing the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Frank Lule revealed that the African region has recorded 120 deaths from 30,000 confirmed Mpox cases, adding that the WHO will continue to provide technical and operational support to Ghana’s response efforts.
Following the launch, the GHS team began community engagement and vaccination activities in the affected areas.
Source: Wesleyannews.com
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