Port Health offices under-resourced to detect Ebola

As the country channels all efforts at preventing people infected with the deadly Ebola disease from entering the country, the various Port Health offices at some borders in the northern part of Ghana remain under-resourced to enable them detect any suspicious symptom of the disease.

Ebola has currently killed over 660 people in four countries in West Africa. Nigeria last week recorded its first case after Sierra Leon, Guinea and Liberia. This has prompted other West African countries to take drastic measures at halting a further sub regional spread of the virus.

A visit to some borders in the Upper East region brought to light the poor conditions in which Port Health officials operate which may defeat the effort of preventing the deadly disease from entering the country.

The Paga and Kulungugu Port Health operates from a two room building close to the immigration service office at the border. The appearance of these buildings defeats its intended purpose.

The building for long has not been refurbished; the hall where travelers stand to be registered for the screening is too small making the place crowded.

Because of the nature of these buildings screening normally takes much time, especially on busy days where travelers come in huge numbers.

The offices are manned by two health workers; the officer-in-charge and one other who assists with registration of travelers for screening.

Speaking to Joseph Oppong Brenya at Paga and kulungugu border, the officer-in-charge of Paga Port Health, Francis Nyamekye said they had just received some protective gears which they are yet to use when screening people who enter the country through that particular border.

He said the health officials are at risk for that matter government and stakeholders’ should as a matter of urgency resource the Port Health to enable them tackle the situation when they detect a suspected victim.

An official of Port Health, Vida Adda told this reporter they don’t have vehicles to transport people, if there is a suspected Ebola case, to a nearby hospital. She said their offices in which they operate are too small which create unnecessary crowding during screening of people.