Latest news with #GhanaHealthService
Zawya
04-08-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Ghana Rallies Education Sector Ahead of National Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Rollout
Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide—despite being almost entirely preventable. Each year, over 600,000 women are diagnosed, and more than 340,000 die from the disease globally. The burden is heaviest in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where nine out of ten cervical cancer deaths occur due to limited access to screening, early detection, and vaccination. In Africa, cervical cancer is not only a health issue but a gender equity crisis, cutting short the lives of women in their most productive years and straining families, communities, and health systems. Ghana is no exception. The country records an estimated 3,000 new cervical cancer cases and nearly 2,000 deaths each year, many of which could be prevented through timely Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. In line with WHO's global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem, Ghana is preparing to introduce the HPV vaccine in September 2025, targeting girls aged 9 to 14 years through a nationwide campaign, and thereafter into the routine immunization schedule for girls aged 9 years. As part of preparations for the rollout, the Ghana Health Service, with support from WHO and with funding from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, convened a National Education Stakeholder Engagement in Kumasi, aimed at galvanizing support from the education sector, a key partner in reaching eligible girls and influencing community perception. 'Cervical cancer continues to claim too many lives, but HPV vaccination remains our best chance at prevention. That's why engaging education stakeholders today is vital—to rally support and protect the future of girls from cervical cancer', said Dr. Fiona Braka, WHO Representative in Ghana. Schools are at the heart of this campaign because they provide direct access to the target age group—girls aged 9 to 14 years. This is the age range recommended by WHO for HPV vaccination, ideally before exposure to the virus. Most girls in this age bracket are enrolled in school, making educational institutions a strategic and efficient platform for vaccine delivery, education, and advocacy. Teachers and school administrators are also trusted voices in their communities, capable of addressing concerns, dispelling myths, and encouraging parents to consent to vaccination. By partnering with the education sector, the campaign can reach more girls equitably, create supportive environments for vaccine acceptance, and ensure the long-term success of cervical cancer prevention efforts. The meeting brought together key actors from all 16 regions of the country including Ghana Education Service, Ghana National Council of Private Schools, Ghana National Association of Private Schools and development partners. Participants discussed how schools and teachers can become powerful advocates in their communities—addressing misinformation, encouraging uptake, and ensuring no girl is left behind. 'The HPV vaccine is not just a health campaign—it's a national duty and investment into our nation's future. Protecting girls today means a healthier generation and a stronger health system tomorrow', emphasized Dr. Fred Adomako-Boateng, Ashanti Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service. 'The support of our communities' hinges on how well we advocate and communicate about the HPV vaccine, which is why this campaign is so important. We fully support it as a critical step toward protecting the health and future of our girls', noted Dr. William Kwame Amankrah Appiah, Ashanti Regional Director of Education. With just weeks to go before the rollout, Ghana is intensifying efforts to build awareness, promote community ownership, and ensure readiness across all regions. The introduction of the HPV vaccine marks a turning point in the fight against cervical cancer—and the country's education sector is poised to be one of its strongest allies. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO), Ghana.
Zawya
19-06-2025
- Health
- Zawya
World Health Organization (WHO) Supports Training of Field Officers to conduct Poliovirus Containment Activities in Ghana
Ghana continues to make impressive strides in the fight against poliovirus, with the last confirmed case of Wild Poliovirus (WPV) recorded in 2008 and the most recent Variant Poliovirus (VDPV) detected in 2024. As the number of confirmed polio cases and detection of the virus in the environment decline steadily, the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners remain committed in minimizing the risk of reintroduction of poliovirus. On 5 June 2025, the Ghana Health Service, with funding and technical assistance from WHO, organized a training for field officers for a nationwide survey on poliovirus containment and risk assessment. The exercise was designed to ensure that biomedical laboratories handling poliovirus infectious or Potentially Infectious Materials (PIMs) are not inadvertently creating pathways for virus reintroduction. Participants at the orientation were trained on the use of the WHO Open Data Kit (ODK) toolkit for conducting surveys, assessing risks in biomedical laboratories, and supporting facilities to implement appropriate biosafety and decontamination measures in line with WHO's containment guidelines (GAPIII and GAPIV). Discussions also covered survey methodologies, biosafety and biosecurity practices. Speaking at the training, Dr. Lawson Ahadzie, Chairman of the National Certification Committee on Polio Eradication, stressed the importance of following up with the recommendations of the survey. 'We are in the final lap of polio eradication. What remains is ensuring that all possible sources of virus reintroduction—especially from laboratories—are identified and secured. This training equips field officers with the skills to do just that', he said. Dr Raymond Dankoli, Global Polio Eradication Initiative Coordinator, highlighted the importance of the survey and implementation of findings. 'This can also be seen as part of the general response measures to the confirmed Polio event in August 2024', he added. The last PIMs Survey and national risk assessment in 2022 identified seven laboratories across the country storing Poliovirus Potentially Infectious Materials (PV PIMs). These materials were classified as PIMs due to no laboratory investigations conducted. They were however securely contained within Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) laboratories, with stringent decontamination and waste management protocols. Additionally, 66 vaccine repositories across regional and district hospitals were found to contain Sabin/bOPV stocks for routine vaccination activities. Dr. Michael Adjabeng, Surveillance Officer with WHO Ghana, emphasized the need for the involvement of all stakeholders in the containment activities. 'Ghana has come far, but the job isn't finished. Containment is about responsibility. It's about making sure we build upon progress made. This survey is a key part of that effort', he stated. Findings from the survey will be disseminated to key stakeholders, given the broader implications for containment and risk mitigation strategies. This survey will help identify any PV PIMs present in biomedical laboratories and ensure their appropriate handling and disposal in accordance with WHO containment guidelines for a polio free world. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO), Ghana.
Gulf Insider
07-06-2025
- Health
- Gulf Insider
Ghana Reports Worst Monkeypox Outbreak Since 2022
Ghana has recorded 45 cases of monkeypox over the past month, marking the country's worst outbreak of the virus since 2022, according to the Ghana Health Service. No fatalities have been reported. The virus, which causes fever and a severe skin rash, has prompted authorities to implement a response plan that includes identifying, isolating, and treating patients, tracing contacts, vaccinating at risk healthcare workers, and launching a wide scale public awareness campaign. The Ghanaian government warned that case numbers are expected to rise in the coming days or weeks. Health authorities noted that the strain currently circulating in Ghana is considered less severe than the variant reported in Central Africa. Source Bahrain News Agency
Zawya
21-03-2025
- Health
- Zawya
World Health Organization (WHO) Supports Ghana's Efforts to Strengthen Nutrition Services with Essential Nutrition Actions Package
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reaffirmed its commitment to improving nutrition services, working with the Ghana Health Service and partners to adapt and provide printed copies of the revised Essential Nutrition Actions (ENAs) Package. The revised ENA marks a significant step in ensuring that frontline health workers have the necessary tools to implement comprehensive nutrition interventions at the Primary Health Care (PHC) level. The ENAs Package serves as a roadmap for integrating nutrition services into Ghana's Universal Health Coverage (UHC) strategy. It builds on the country's 2020-2030 UHC Roadmap, which prioritizes PHC as the foundation for improving service delivery. Ghana's revised ENAs package adopts a life-course approach recognizing that, addressing malnutrition requires interventions at all critical stages of life—from pregnancy through childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, ensuring that no one is left behind. Since 2014, Ghana has implemented seven (7) ENAs, adapted from WHO's global framework. These actions targeted pregnant and lactating women and children under five and emphasized a few key interventions. However, to address emerging nutrition challenges—including childhood obesity and the long-term effects of poor nutrition, Ghana has updated its ENAs package, building on the previous and the latest evidence-based interventions to tackle malnutrition in all its forms. This revised package of 58 interventions is also aligned with the updated Global WHO ENAs Framework (2019), national health policies and guidelines. Speaking on the importance of this donation, Dr. Frank Lule, Officer in Charge of WHO Ghana, emphasized WHO's commitment to strengthening Ghana's health system. "Nutrition is a critical pillar of health and ensuring that healthcare providers have access to updated resources is essential for improving service delivery. This revised package will support health workers in delivering high-quality nutrition services across the country", he said. Received on behalf of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) by Madam Olivia Mawunyo Timpo, Deputy Director Nutrition - Family Health Division, expressed appreciation for WHO's continued support, noting that the provision of these materials will enhance capacity building and ensure that nutrition services are effectively integrated into primary health care delivery. She conveyed the department's appreciation to UNICEF and the academic community for their contributions to the document's adaptation. The newly printed ENAs materials include detailed interventions, guidelines for facility-based staff, and standardized training resources to ensure effective implementation of essential nutrition actions. These materials will be distributed across various healthcare facilities, empowering frontline health workers to provide comprehensive nutrition services to communities as part of a coordinated action from different sectors. Through initiatives like this, WHO and GHS continue to work together to enhance Ghana's health security and ensure that nutrition services remain a core component of the country's journey toward UHC. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO), Ghana.
Zawya
25-02-2025
- Health
- Zawya
World Health Organization (WHO) Provides Urgent Medical Support to Ghana to Combat Meningitis Outbreak
Ghana is experiencing a worsening bacterial meningitis outbreak in the Upper West Region, straining the country's healthcare system as cases continue to climb. With limited resources and rising fatalities, health authorities are racing against time to contain the disease and provide critical treatment to those affected. In response to the escalating crisis, the World Health Organization (WHO) has stepped in to provide much-needed technical and logistical support. As cases increased from 42 to 60, with 14 reported deaths, WHO donated 10,600 vials of Ceftriaxone, a potent antibiotic used in meningitis treatment. The donation, valued at approximately $23,000, was officially received by the Minister of Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, at a brief ceremony in Accra. The Minister immediately handed over the vials to the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, for swift deployment to affected communities. Speaking at the handing over of the items, Dr. Frank Lule, Officer in Charge of WHO Ghana, reaffirmed WHO's commitment to Ghana's health systems. He said, 'This donation is another testament to WHO's commitment to strengthening Ghana's health systems. If additional vials are needed, we will be here to provide more support.' Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Minister of Health, emphasized the importance of WHO's support, saying: 'We are currently managing several outbreaks, and this timely donation is crucial. I'm about to brief Ghana's Parliament on our response and will highlight WHO's support.' In addition to medical supplies, WHO has dispatched Dr. Nicolō Binello, a Technical Officer specializing in Meningitis and Epidemic Bacterial Diseases from its headquarters in Geneva. Dr. Binello will work closely with national and local health authorities to strengthen clinical care and response strategies, ensuring effective treatment for patients and mitigating further spread of the disease. Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, Director-General of Ghana Health Service, assured that the donation would be put to immediate use. 'This donation will go directly to the affected areas. WHO has also deployed a technical officer to support Ghana's meningitis response. We are truly grateful', he said. As part of its response, the Ghana Health Service has intensified public education campaigns, urging citizens to seek medical care at the earliest signs of meningitis symptoms. Additionally, treatment for meningitis is being offered free of charge in all health facilities to eliminate financial barriers and reduce mortality rates. The ongoing collaboration between WHO, Ghanaian health authorities, and local communities highlights a unified commitment to addressing the meningitis outbreak. Through strategic interventions, expert deployment, and resource mobilization, efforts are being intensified to curb the disease and safeguard public health. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.
