Port health officials at risk incase Ebola enters the country due to poor resources

As the country channels all effort at prevent people infected with the deadly Ebola disease from entering the country, the various Port Health offices at some boarders in the northern part of Ghana remains under resource to enable them detect any suspicious symptom of the disease.   Ebola has currently killed over 660 people in four countries in West Africa. Nigeria last week recorded its first case after Sierra Leon, Guinea and Liberia. This has prompted other West African countries to take drastic measures at halting a further sub regional spread of the virus. A visit to some boarders in the upper east region brought to light the poor conditions in which port Health officials operate which may defeat the effort of preventing the deadly disease from entering the country.

The Paga and Kulungugu port health operates from a two room building close to the immigration service office at the border. The appearance of these buildings defeats its intended purpose. The building for long has not been refurbished; the hall where travelers stand to be registered for the screening is too small making the place crowded. Because of the nature of these buildings screening normally take much time, especially on busy days where travelers come in huge numbers

The offices are manned by two health workers; the officer in charge and one other who assist with registration of travelers for screening.

Speaking to Joseph Oppong Brenya at Paga and kulungugu boarder, the officer in-charge of Paga Port Health Francis Nyamekye said they had just received some protective gears which they are yet to use them when screening people who enter the country through that particular boarder. He said the health officials are at risk for that matter government and stakeholders’ should as a matter of urgency resource the port health to enable them tackle the situation when they detect a suspected victim.

An official of port Health Vida Adda told this reporter they don’t have vehicles to transport if there is a suspected Ebola case to a nearby hospital.  She said there offices in which they operate are too small which create unnecessary crowding during screening of people.