The Central Regional Health Directorate has raised concerns over the rise in cholera cases, attributing it to the inconsistent water supply affecting residents.
Officials have cautioned that, without prompt intervention to resolve the water crisis, residents may face an increased risk of infection.
Speaking to JoyNews on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, the Deputy Director of Public Health in the Central Region, Dr Joojo Cobbinah, highlighted that limited access to potable water remains a significant factor behind the surge in infections in the region.
“Cholera thrives in the absence of water; people might not get access to water to wash their hands, flush their water closets, clean their vegetables properly, even the disposal of waste at a point might require water. If we don’t have water, one of the preventative measures is hand washing. Imagine we don’t have hand washing facilities at different points when people aggregate, it becomes difficult to contain and eliminate the cholera situation.
“The leadership of our communities, our districts, should take steps to ensure the provision of water. This will mean we need to bring in tankers with water to come and support these communities who do not have water,” he stated.
Data from the Regional Health Directorate reveals that 14 people have succumbed to cholera infection since the first case was recorded in late October 2024.
So far, 180 confirmed cases out of 1,929 suspected cases have been recorded while 28 others are undergoing treatment at various health facilities.
