"Without peace, health indicators will not improve" – GHS Boss warns amid rising CSM concerns in Upper East

The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, has stressed that insecurity in parts of northern Ghana, particularly conflict-prone areas like Bawku, continues to hinder healthcare delivery and the overall improvement of health indicators in the region.

Speaking during a working visit to the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council, Professor Akoriyea warned that without peace, efforts to strengthen the health system and improve key health outcomes will remain stalled.

"Without peace, health indicators will not improve," he emphasized, adding that fear and insecurity discourage health professionals from accepting postings, worsening the region’s already critical shortage of medical staff.

The GHS boss also raised concerns over a possible resurgence of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM), urging stakeholders to intensify public education, surveillance, and early detection campaigns, particularly in the Upper East and Upper West regions.

His call comes after 16 deaths were recorded from 173 suspected cases in the Upper West Region earlier this year, with the Upper East Region also reporting two deaths out of 31 suspected cases.

Although no official outbreak has been declared, Professor Akoriyea cautioned against complacency and stressed the need for proactive action, including heightened border surveillance due to the threat of cross-border infections from Sahelian countries.

He further assured that sufficient vaccines had been procured to respond to any potential outbreak but highlighted that public reluctance to seek early medical attention remains a significant barrier.

Professor Akoriyea also decried political and external interference in staff postings and transfers and called on local authorities to support the equitable distribution of healthcare workers across districts.

In response, Al-Hassan Ibrahim Abdul-Kadir, Acting Regional Coordinating Director, assured that the Regional Minister, Mr. Donatus Atanga Akamugri, was committed to addressing the issues raised.

He revealed that collaborative efforts were already underway with the Ghana Medical Association to enhance security and improve working conditions for health professionals across the region.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith