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Set up epidemic management committee –
Dr Ahadzie
Accra, June 10, Ghanadot/GNA – Dr. Lawson Ahadzie, Deputy
Director and Head, Disease Surveillance Department, Ghana
Health Service, has proposed the setting up of a multi-sectoral
Epidemic Management Committee at the national level to
coordinate the management and control of epidemic.
He said the committee could periodically meet to ascertain
and review the epidemic situation regardless of an outbreak,
investigate rumours on outbreaks and other public health
problems, propose appropriate strategies and measures to
restrain epidemics.
Dr. Ahadzie, speaking at the monthly health talk initiative
by the GHS on the topic: “Preparedness and Response to
Epidemics” called for the development of a preparedness and
response plan which would facilitate prompt and adequate
response to epidemic.
He said key elements of the plan should also include
functional surveillance system, early warning systems, human
resources development, availability of emergency stock of
drug and structures to manage cases.
Dr. Ahadzie noted that poor urban planning, environmental
degradation, climate change and evolution of pathogen were
some factors contributing to the occurrence of epidemics.
He said cholera, yellow fever, measles, dysentery and food
poisoning were some of the predictable epidemics in Ghana
while Ebola, Avian and Pandemic Influenza, SARS were not
often predictable.
Dr. Ahadzie said the management and control of epidemic was
not the responsibility of one individual but called on all
agencies and stakeholders concerned - NADMO, Ministry of
Interior, Transport, Town and Country Planning - to come on
board to properly manage such occurrence.
GNA
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