Tema deaths not mysterious - Ministry of Health

The Health ministry has insisted reported multiple deaths at Tema were largely diagnosed to be lifestyles diseases rejecting claims of spiritual reasons.

Nonetheless, the ministry says it is keenly following the development at Tema.

At least, 17 people are reported to have died ‘mysteriously’ in the Tema enclave over the last four days.

The scare has pushed residents to resort to bathing in the sea upon the advice of a spiritualist in the area.

However, a statement by the health ministry said the deaths are attributable to other factors and not spiritual after its investigations.

“The Ministry of Health / Ghana Health Service was notified on 7th November 2018 of a sudden increase in a number of deaths in New Town community of Tema Metropolis, Greater Accra Region.

“Consequently, a team from National and Regional level joined their District counterparts to investigate into the issue. The team visited houses of the deceased, interviewed their relatives and community members and took part in a community meeting. The team also visited Tema General Hospital and Naval Base Clinic, interviewed health workers (clinicians and nurses) and reviewed medical records,” the statement said.

Below are details of the statement

INCREASED NUMBER OF DEATHS IN TEMA MUNICIPALITY

The Ministry of Health / Ghana Health Service was notified on 7th November, 2018 of sudden increase in the number of deaths in New Town community of Tema Metropolis, Greater Accra Region.

Consequently, a team from National and Regional level joined their District counterparts to investigate into the issue.

The team visited houses of the deceased, interviewed their relatives and community members and took part in a community meeting. The team also visited Tema General Hospital and Naval Base Clinic, interviewed health workers (clinicians and nurses) and reviewed medical records.

The key findings of the investigation team include:

?A total of sixteen (16) deaths have been recorded from two communities; Tema Harbour Electoral Area and Awudum Area within the Tema East Municipal, between the period of 29th October and 7th November, 2018.

?The persons died from different medical conditions that are not linked and are not infectious.

The possible causes of deaths included the following: Knife Wounds, Severe Head Injury, Acute Alcoholic Intoxication, Cardiac Failure, Lymphatic Filariasis with Cellulitis and Ectopic Pregnancy. Majority of these listed causes of death are actually lifestyle related.