The Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Juaboso, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has directed that meningitis patients without National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) cards in the Upper West Region be treated free of charge.
This directive forms part of measures outlined to manage the recent meningitis outbreak in the region.
The Health Minister, on his third day in office, visited the affected communities to assess the situation and offer immediate solutions.
“On my third day in office, I visited the Upper West Region to assess the meningitis situation. Outlined are seven key interventions to control the spread of the disease. H.E. John Mahama remains committed to providing quality healthcare for Ghanaians,” the Minister wrote on X, on Thursday, February 11.
To contain the outbreak, Mr. Akandoh instructed the Wa Regional Hospital to activate its isolation centers and redirect all suspected meningitis cases there.
He also formed a case management team to coordinate efforts with the ambulance service for timely response and patient referrals.
Among the seven interventions, the Health Minister initiated sensitization campaigns across local radio stations and community information centers.
A rapid response team was deployed from Accra, while essential medications, including antibiotics, were distributed to health facilities in the region.
Meanwhile, cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) has so far claimed 14 lives in the Upper West Region, with 60 recorded cases.
The cases have been recorded in eight districts, including Nadowli, Nandom, Jirapa, Wa West, and Sissala East.
Several prominent personalities from the region, including the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Bernard Ahiafor, have called on the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to take immediate action to control the outbreak.
