Residents of Atebubu are living in fear due to cholera outbreak

The chiefs and people of Atebubu in the Atebubu/Amantin District of Brong-Ahafo Region are living in fear following the outbreak of cholera in the area.

From April to June this year, nine people have died while 197 are on admission at the Atebubu Government Hospital receiving treatment. Most of the affected people are children.

Dr. Emmanuel Tenkorang, Deputy Regional Director of Public Health disclosed this when Mr. Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development and members of the Regional Security Council visited Atebubu on Monday to access the situation.

He explained that the disease was first detected at Zongo Number One, Zongo Number Two and Konkomba line because of the poor hygienic conditions and lack of potable drinking water in those areas.

Dr. Tenkorang said those dead did not report early and advised the people to ensure that they seek early medical treatment immediately they experienced any abnormalities, especially vomiting and diarrhea.

He said an outbreak also occurred in 2010 but the health authority and the District Assembly took immediate measures that brought the situation under control.

Dr. Tenkorang described cholera as “propagated epidemic” that spread very fast and advised the people to always keep their surroundings clean at all times and wash their hands with soap before and after eating.

Mr. Ofosu-Ampofo said the outbreak of the disease was very unfortunate and worrying, indicating that the government had taken immediate measures to avoid its spread.

He commended the Regional Health Directorate and the District Assembly for their quick response to the situation.

Mr. Ofosu-Ampofo tasked the Assembly's task force to enforce the environmental bye-laws to promote good hygiene.

He said the government had earmarked GH?160,000 to rehabilitate the Atebubu water system and that work would soon commence on the project.

Mr. Ofosu-Ampofo later presented 310,000 chlorine tablets and a number of Veronica buckets to be placed at vantage points.

Mr. Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, Regional Minister, advised people to always wash their hands with soap immediately after they visit the toilet and also boil their water before drinking as they wait for the government to address the acute water problem in the area.

Nana Owusu Akyeaw Brempong, Chief of Atebubu, expressed concern about the lack of potable drinking water in the area and appealed to the government to come to the aid of the people.

He said the people largely depended on wells and that was why the disease spread very fast among them.**