Meningitis Outbreaks: MP Calls for urgent Government Action to Tackle in Upper West

Member of Parliament for the Daffiama Bussie Issa Constituency in the Upper West Region, Dr. Sebastian Ngmenenso Sandaare, has called on stakeholders in the health sector to urgently strengthen healthcare systems in epidemic-prone regions like the Upper West to mitigate the devastating impact of recurring meningitis outbreaks in Ghana.

Delivering a statement on the floor of Parliament on February 6, 2025, Dr. Sandaare proposed six key measures, including meningitis outbreak preparedness through budgetary allocations for staff capacity building, prepositioning of medicines, and ensuring essential logistics are in place ahead of the meningitis season.

According to him, the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Ghana Health Service (GHS) should explore innovative strategies to ensure equitable distribution of health workers, particularly in northern Ghana. He also recommended a reward system to attract and retain healthcare personnel in deprived regions.

“These incentives could include free accommodation, transportation benefits tied to years of service, scholarships for health workers serving in rural areas, and salary differentials favoring those working in underserved regions,” Dr. Sandaare stated.

The MP further called for intensified public health education through community sensitization programs to raise awareness about meningitis symptoms and the importance of early medical intervention. He emphasized that investments in healthcare facilities, laboratory diagnostics, and the training of healthcare workers should be prioritized to enhance case management.

Additionally, Dr. Sandaare proposed cross-border collaboration with neighboring countries to strengthen surveillance and information-sharing mechanisms for the prevention and control of meningitis outbreaks.

He urged the government to establish a Public Health Emergency Fund to ensure sustainable financing for both current and future outbreaks.

“The meningitis situation in the Upper West Region has led to high mortality rates, and immediate intervention by the government and other stakeholders is critical,” he stressed.

Background

Meningitis remains a major public health concern in Ghana, particularly in the northern regions where periodic outbreaks occur. The disease, caused by inflammation of the meninges due to bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic infections, can lead to severe complications, including neurological damage and death if not promptly treated.

Northern Ghana falls within the African Meningitis Belt, stretching from Senegal to Ethiopia, making it highly vulnerable to recurrent epidemics. The disease is characterized by the sudden onset of fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, and, in severe cases, seizures and coma.

Despite ongoing efforts to control and prevent outbreaks, meningitis continues to pose a significant health threat, especially in rural communities with limited access to healthcare.

By Edzorna Francis Mensah | ParliamentNews360