WHO donates critical supplies as Ghana intensifies Ebola preparedness efforts

The recent declaration of an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda has reinforced the need for countries across the African region to remain vigilant and prepared. Although Ghana has not recorded any case of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), the country is taking proactive measures to strengthen its readiness to detect, respond to, and contain any potential threat.

As part of these efforts, the Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, led a high-level assessment visit to key institutions that form the backbone of Ghana's preparedness and response system - the Accra International Airport, the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) and Ga East Municipal Hospital.

The visit to the Accra International Airport focused on assessing measures at one of Ghana's busiest points of entry, where screening and surveillance systems play a critical role in the early detection of potential public health threats. At NMIMR, the team reviewed laboratory preparedness and testing capacity. As one of the country's leading public health laboratories, the institute serves as a key facility for the timely diagnosis and confirmation of infectious diseases. The delegation also visited Ga East Municipal Hospital, a designated referral facility with experience in managing infectious disease outbreaks and a critical component of Ghana's case management and treatment readiness.

To further support the country's preparedness efforts, the World Health Organization (WHO) donated essential equipment and supplies to the Ministry of Health. The support was mobilized in response to a request from the Government of Ghana as part of ongoing efforts to ensure that frontline facilities have the resources needed to respond effectively should a case be detected.

The donated items included examination gloves, surgical gloves, chlorine, hand disinfectant gel, nose masks, face shields, coveralls, temperature guns, and other infection prevention and control supplies. These materials will support screening, case management, infection prevention and control measures, and the protection of frontline health workers.

Speaking during the visit, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh emphasized the importance of preparedness in safeguarding public health.

"Ghana has not recorded an Ebola case, but preparedness cannot wait until an outbreak reaches our borders. We are taking proactive steps to assess our systems, identify any gaps, and ensure that our points of entry, laboratories, and treatment facilities are ready to respond", he said.

The WHO Representative to Ghana, Dr Fiona Braka, reaffirmed the Organization's commitment to supporting the country's efforts to prevent and respond to public health emergencies.

"Preparedness is one of the most effective investments a country can make in protecting its population from health emergencies. We commend Ghana for taking proactive steps to assess and strengthen its readiness before any case is detected", she said.

The assessment visit and donation underscore the strong collaboration between the Government of Ghana and WHO in advancing health security and emergency preparedness. While the country remains free of Ebola, continued investments in surveillance, laboratory capacity, infection prevention and control, and case management will be essential to maintaining readiness.

Through coordinated action and strong partnerships, Ghana continues to strengthen its ability to respond rapidly and effectively to public health threats, helping to safeguard the health and well-being of its population.