The Central Regional Health Directorate has expressed concern over the rising number of cholera cases, as inconsistent water supply continues to affect local residents.
Officials have warned that if the water crisis is not addressed, residents may face an increased risk of contracting the disease.
In an interview with JoyNews on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, Dr. Joojo Cobbinah, the Deputy Director of Public Health for the Central Region, pointed out that the lack of access to safe drinking water is a major cause of the increase in infections in the region.
“Cholera thrives in the absence of water; people may not have access to water to wash their hands, flush their toilets, clean their vegetables properly, and even waste disposal may require water. If we don’t have water, one of the preventive measures, which is hand washing, becomes difficult. Imagine not having handwashing facilities at key points where people gather; it becomes challenging to control and eliminate the cholera outbreak,” he lamented.
“The leaders of our communities and districts should take action to ensure the provision of water. This may involve bringing in water tanks to support these communities that lack access to water,” he added.
According to data from the Regional Health Directorate, 14 individuals have died from cholera in the Central Region since the first case was reported in late October 2024.
One hundred and eighty cases have been confirmed out of 1,929 suspected cases recorded in the region, while 28 others are still receiving care at various health facilities.