YESTERDAY it was reported on the back page of the state-owned Daily Graphic that vaccines to help fight Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) have finally arrived from the World Health Organisation (WHO). Alas! The people of the Northern regions in particular and the entire country can heave a sigh of relief and expect that the vaccines will prevent further spread and deaths.
THOUGH, the vaccines had delayed in coming which saw13 deaths recorded we should all be grateful that atleast they are now in the country. The other good news is that the vaccines have been airlifted to three affected Northern parts – Upper East, Upper West and Northern regions – for vaccination to begin. In fact, this indicates our readiness to combat the disease.
THE Minister of Health, Dr Benjamin Kumbour, has given the assurance that with the arrival of the CSM vaccines the situation was under control. Against this background, he has advised people not to be panic-stricken. Indeed, the health minister’s assurance is refreshing and it brings hope that the situation is controllable.
THE minister did not end there. He further assured that government is doing all it can to arrest the situation. That, to us on this paper, is very encouraging. It tells us that government takes the health of Ghanaians seriously.
WE at Today hope that health workers in these regions will act with dispatch and diligently to avoid more people becoming infected with CSM. So far, the disease has been reported in the three northern regions. It is important that we do what we can to contain the situation to prevent its spread to other regions.
WE must also bear in mind that this is not the first time that CSM has been reported in the country. The first cases of CSM were recorded in these same northern parts, and it is our hope that we find a lasting solution to the problem.
IT is gratifying that the vaccines have been distributed to high-risk areas, especially in the Upper East region, where the disease is having telling effects on the inhabitants. We are, however, worried that the vaccines are inadequate. That is not good at all.
WE also seize this opportunity to advise against people using the vaccines to make money. We must understand that many of the inhabitants in the northern parts are impoverished. Thus to go there and sell these vaccines to them at high prices will be unhealthy. Even if the vaccines are going to be sold it is our belief that the price will be moderate and affordable.
