The Ministry of Health has announced plans to deploy public health nurses and community health workers to flood-affected communities in Accra to intensify disease prevention education following recent heavy rains. Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh made the announcement during an assessment tour of flood-prone areas, including Adawnaa, Neoplan Station, and Achimota Alogboshie, where officials evaluated sanitation conditions and educated residents on preventive measures.
The Minister warned that floodwaters can contaminate homes and water sources with faecal matter and other harmful pathogens, increasing the risk of outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, typhoid fever, and malaria. Residents were advised to consume warm food, boil rainwater or treat it with alum before use, and seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms such as diarrhoea.
The deployment of public health personnel forms part of the government’s efforts to prevent disease outbreaks in the aftermath of the floods. Authorities have also urged the public to maintain clean surroundings and promptly report suspected cases of cholera or other infectious diseases to the nearest health facility.