Accra, Dec. 15, GNA - Dr. Nii Oakley Quaye-Kumah, Deputy Minister of Health designate on Tuesday told Parliament that if he gets the nod, he would tour the country to acquaint himself with the health challenges of the people.

" In that case, I would be in a better position to help my Minister to design appropriate plans towards combating some of the problems besetting the country," he said.

Dr.Quaye-Kumah gave the pledg e when he appeared before the Vetting Committee of Parliament.

He said he would work hard as a professional Veterinary Doctor to promote the fight against diseases such as rabies and anthrax, which claim a lot of lives due to high level of ignorance on the handling of the diseases. The Presidential nominee warned against the habit of people rushing for rabies injections immediately after a dog bite, saying it impact negatively on their health if the dog is not infected with the disease. "I would rather advise anybody who is bitten by a dog to immediately wash the place with carbolic soap and apply hydrogen and quarantine the dog for at most 21 days before going ahead for medical treatment." Dr. Quaye-Kumah who is also a member of Parliament for Krowor said he would create cordial relations between the Ministry of Health and Food and Drugs Board to minimise the abuse of drugs and the proliferation of fake drugs in the country.

The nominee who was born on September 26, 1959 had his Ordinary and Advanced levels education at the Presbyterian Boys Secondary school in Accra and obtained a Doctorate degree in the Ukraine Agricultural Academy in Kiev between 1983 and 1989.

Mr. Edward Doe-Ajaho, Chairman of the Vetting Committee ordered him to go and re-package his curriculum vitae and present it to the committee before a definite decision could be taken on him. 15 Dec. 09