Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, the Acting Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has launched a working tour across the country’s meningitis belt, starting with a visit to the Northern Region. The tour is aimed at assessing preparedness for meningitis and other public health emergencies.

During his visit, Prof. Akoriyea paid a courtesy call on the Northern Regional Minister, Hon. Ali Adolf John. The discussions focused on strengthening the region's health workforce. Prof. Akoriyea called for support in attracting and retaining healthcare professionals in the area. In response, Hon. John assured the Acting Director-General of his commitment to collaborating with the Regional Health Directorate (RHD) to address staffing issues and improve healthcare service delivery in the region.

Prof. Akoriyea continued his tour with engagements with the Regional Health Management Team (RHMT), district directors, and medical superintendents. These meetings provided a platform for the region to discuss its preparedness for meningitis and other public health emergencies. He also visited the Regional Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), where he assessed the emergency response systems and met with frontline officers.

At the Tamale Teaching Hospital, Prof. Akoriyea toured the Regional Public Health Reference Laboratory and interacted with staff to understand their challenges. He met with the hospital’s CEO and management team, leading to the formation of a joint team between GHS and the hospital. The team will work to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance healthcare delivery. Key areas of collaboration include specialized training for Medical Officers in the northern zone to reduce the need for relocation to Accra or Kumasi, as well as regular specialist outreach services at GHS facilities in the north.

In the Northeast Region, Prof. Akoriyea held discussions with the RHMT to review their preparedness for public health emergencies. The region has recorded nine suspected cases of meningitis this year, with four confirmed and no fatalities. Prof. Akoriyea also visited the Walewale District Hospital, where he met with management and staff.

As part of efforts to strengthen meningitis case management, Prof. Akoriyea presented medications to the Regional Health Directorates in both the Northern and Northeast Regions. The medication is intended to support the regions' capacity to manage and respond effectively to meningitis outbreaks.

The tour underscores the GHS's commitment to bolstering healthcare systems in the northern regions and ensuring effective preparedness for meningitis and other public health emergencies.

Credit: Ghana Health Service