Anglogold sensitises host communities on Ebola

AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine has embarked on a mass Ebola educational campaign in its host communities as a contribution to critical efforts required to prepare the country to effectively curb any likely outbreak of the disease.

The campaign forms part of the mine’s corporate responsibility programme in the area of public health.

The move, according to the Stakeholder Superintendent Senyo Buake, on the mine is to inform the communities on preventive measures, and to provide a firsthand advice on how to avoid the infection.

He contended that it had afforded residents of the mine’s host communities the opportunity to ask questions, and to hear the message in their native languages, which would enhance their understanding about Ebola and its preventive measures.

So far, residents of Adeiyie, Mile 7, Domeabra , New Techiman, all host communities of the Mine, amongst others who have undergone the sensitisation programme, expressed their appreciation for the initiative, adding that it was timely, since it was brought their doorsteps.

The Iduapriem Mine considered it paramount to initiate the educational campaign for all, to help prevent an outbreak of the disease in Ghana by complementing the efforts of the state.

The mine, in collaboration with the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Health Directorate, has already set up an Isolation Ward at the Tarkwa Old Government Hospital, with World Health Organisation-trained staff.

All suspected cases diagnosed on the mine will be sent to the facility at the Government Hospital, about 20 kilometres from the mine, for isolation and laboratory confirmation.

The Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola Haemorrhagic Fever, causes a severe acute viral illness, often characterised by the sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache, diarrhoea and acute vomiting