Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, wants the Ghana Health Service (GHS) held accountable for its handling of the cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) outbreak in the Upper West Region.
The outbreak has so far claimed 14 lives, with 60 recorded cases and a high fatality rate of 23.33%.
Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, February 6, Annoh-Dompreh criticised the slow response of health officials and demanded that they be summoned to explain the situation.
“We don’t have the Minister of Health sworn in, but we have the Ghana Health Service. We can’t always blame politicians. Public health officials, who are paid with taxpayers’ money, must be held accountable,” he asserted.
Read also: Upper West Region records 6 deaths in 17 suspected cases of meningitis
He questioned whether the outbreak resulted from a vaccine shortage or negligence, insisting that Parliament must hear directly from GHS leadership.
“Is it the case that we are lacking vaccines? Is it the case that they never knew about this? Are they sleeping on the job? What is happening? They must come and give us some answers,” he demanded.
The Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP emphasised the urgency of intervention, warning that failure to act swiftly would worsen the crisis.
“We cannot allow such a basic ailment to claim lives in this day and age. The Ghana Health Service must go to the aid of the poor people in Upper West, or the matter will get out of hand,” he cautioned.
He urged the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament to direct GHS officials to appear before the House and provide a briefing on their response efforts.
The First Deputy Speaker, presiding in the Speaker’s absence, directed the Ministry of Health to take immediate remedial action.
“The Ministry of Health must create awareness, conduct contact tracing, intensify medical care for affected victims, and consider establishing a Public Health Emergency Fund to handle outbreaks. I so direct,” he ordered.
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