Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has called on the Minister of Health to urgently address the cholera outbreak currently affecting the Effutu municipality.
He expressed concern over the alarming situation, where the outbreak has already claimed three lives.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, February 11, he called on the Health Minister to address Parliament within a week, providing an update on the efforts made thus far to combat the cholera outbreak.
He highlighted that many of the affected individuals are being treated at the Winneba Municipal Hospital, Winneba Health Center, and the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) clinic. He noted that these facilities are under immense pressure as they struggle to cope with the growing number of cases, especially from the coastal areas of Winneba.
The Minority Leader emphasized the dire need for operational funds to support ongoing efforts, including fuel for transportation, sanitation efforts, and the procurement of essential medical supplies and treatment kits. He pointed out that the municipal assembly currently lacks the necessary funds to assist and to help with public education on the outbreak.
As a member of Parliament he shared that he has personally contributed a pickup vehicle to aid the health directorate and has provided some financial support for education and awareness creation. However, he stressed that more assistance is needed, particularly from the central government, to address the situation comprehensively.
He urged the government to deploy additional staff to the affected areas, particularly to Winneba, and called on the Ministry of Health to direct more professionals to support the local health directorates.
