WHO Partners with Ghana’s Ministry of Health to Strengthen Mpox Outbreak Response
By Patrick Biddah
The World Health Organization (WHO) has joined forces with Ghana’s Ministry of Health in a collaborative effort to bolster the country’s fight against the ongoing Mpox outbreak. This partnership follows the generous donation of critical medical supplies and a commitment to provide ongoing support.
Donation of Essential Supplies
During a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Health, WHO Regional Director, Mohamed Yakub Janabi, officially handed over a consignment of supplies valued at over USD 36,700 to Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh. The donation includes Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) for frontline health workers, 780 GeneXpert cartridges to enhance testing capabilities, and more than 9,000 risk communication materials such as posters and pull-up banners to raise community awareness and promote behavior change.
Commendation for Ghana’s Response Efforts
Dr. Janabi extended his condolences to the family of the single Mpox-related fatality reported in Ghana and commended the country’s emergency response mechanisms. He highlighted Ghana’s robust epidemic control strategies, including the activation of emergency coordination systems, effective surveillance measures, and the deployment of case management and laboratory response teams.
“Ghana’s leadership in this outbreak response has been impressive,” Dr. Janabi stated. “It’s a testament to how coordinated action and preparedness can help mitigate the impact of such crises.”
Allocation of Mpox Vaccines
Dr. Janabi also announced that the Mpox Continental Incident Management Support Team (IMST) has approved the allocation of 35,000 doses of Mpox vaccines to Ghana. These vaccines are expected to play a crucial role in the national response efforts.
Gratitude for WHO Support
Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh expressed his gratitude for WHO’s timely assistance, emphasizing the importance of the donated vaccines in controlling the disease. He assured that the PPEs and other materials would be utilized effectively in the fight against the outbreak.
“We are thankful for the ongoing collaboration. These supplies will not only protect our health workers but also safeguard our communities as we strive to contain the outbreak,” Minister Akandoh remarked.
Call for Public Vigilance
The Health Minister urged the public to remain vigilant and adhere to health protocols, including avoiding close contact with infected individuals and practicing safe sex, a known transmission pathway of the virus.
