2 weeks Ago By Ghana News
GhanaWeb Feature by Victoria Agyeman “I nearly lost my child to yellow fever after childbirth if I had not taken his treatment and medication seriously.” This was how Veronique Amoah, a teacher, narrated her ordeal with uncontrollable tears during an interview with GhanaWeb. Abraham (not his real name), shortly after birth, began experiencing severe body aches, headaches, fever, and other symptoms, leaving Veronique terrified of losing him.
She took him for a routine check-up, where he was diagnosed with yellow fever. She couldn’t understand how he had contracted the disease. At the time, Abraham’s father had passed away, and Veronique had to handle the entire treatment process alone as a single parent.
“I couldn’t afford to lose my only child,” she said. Her support system consisted of a nurse and a medical doctor at Ewim Polyclinic, who consistently encouraged and motivated her throughout her child’s recovery journey. “It was costly, and I almost gave up as I spent everything I had on drugs and other essentials for his survival.
” Veronique appealed to the government to consider including yellow fever treatment in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to ease the financial burden on caregivers and patients. “Even if not fully covered, the government should at least bear part of the cost, especially since yellow fever is a public health concern,” she added. She also called for the establishment of a dedicated public health emergency fund to prepare the country for unforeseen circumstances.
Ghana is recognised as a yellow fever-endemic country and must intensify its efforts to control the spread of the disease. Although the government has made strides in curbing outbreaks, more interventions are needed to strengthen its preparedness. In 2021, Ghana’s health sector was on high alert as the country recorded several cases and deaths due to yellow fever, particularly in the northern regions.
Surveillance was intensified, especially among nomadic populations identified as major agents in the disease’s transmission. Health experts noted the lack of resources and vaccines at the time, which hindered efforts to prevent the disease’s spread and resulted in unnecessary fatalities. Abu Kwabena, a Public Health Officer at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH), stated that although it’s been a while since they recorded a yellow fever case, affected patients endure significant trauma and financial strain.
He emphasised that while yellow fever has no cure, it can be managed when detected early, albeit at a high cost. “Patients endure the pain and trauma while bearing the full cost of treatment, as there is no government support for managing the disease,” he explained. He reiterated the need for the inclusion of yellow fever treatment under the NHIS, as it remains one of the most viral endemic diseases in Ghana and Africa.
Kwabena called on the government to take full responsibility for managing yellow fever, considering its deadly nature. He also advocated for the establishment of a public health emergency fund to combat future outbreaks and strengthen the health system. Regarding the Covid-19 Levy, he suggested it should not be scrapped but rather expanded to support the management of disease outbreaks, especially during public health emergencies.
While vaccinations are an effective preventive measure against yellow fever, Kwabena stressed the need for the country to do more in terms of preparation and emergency response. Outbreaks of yellow fever, CSM, and other diseases According to the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service, from 2020 to 2023, Ghana recorded about eight major disease outbreaks. These include yellow fever, COVID-19, polio, monkeypox, Marburg virus, measles, and Lassa fever.
In October, the Savannah Region reported suspected yellow fever cases, later confirmed by the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research. The disease rapidly spread to 13 out of 16 regions, with over 40 deaths recorded. On April 15, 2020, 409 cases of CSM were recorded across five regions, with 40 reported deaths.
These outbreaks were unexpected and severe, particularly as the health system was already overwhelmed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The response was slow, and the consequences were dire. According to the Ghana Statistical Service, over 1,400 deaths were recorded due to these outbreaks.
The last three years have tested the resilience of Ghana’s healthcare professionals, revealing significant gaps in emergency preparedness and resources. Challenges in responding to disease outbreaks Funding remains one of the biggest challenges in responding to disease outbreaks, especially for routine Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) activities. Most of the health sector budget goes into infrastructure, leaving minimal resources for disease surveillance.
This often results in preventable outbreaks escalating to epidemic levels, with devastating impacts on the population. In 2021, Ghana’s national health budget was GHS 1.3 billion, including salaries and administrative costs.
Of this, €80.3 million was projected for health delivery and €9 million for goods and services, which includes Epidemic Preparedness and Response (EPR). However, this allocation was grossly inadequate considering the volume of work required under EPR.
Health emergencies are unpredictable, and Ghana must ensure it has the funds to respond effectively. The way forward Disease outbreaks not only threaten lives but also strain the economy. Governments often spend more than planned during health emergencies, affecting other sectors.
Over the years, domestic support has played a crucial role in addressing public health emergencies. This should serve as a reminder of the importance of preparation. Ghana must establish a Public Health Emergency Fund to ensure prompt and effective responses to future outbreaks.
With donor support declining, it is imperative for the government to take charge of its public health systems. A well-resourced emergency fund will help protect both the population and the economy during times of crisis. Ever heard of a colonial fort with a children’s dungeon and a unique shrine for the slaves? Find out the details with Etsey Atisu as he toured Fort William at Anomabo below:.
