The La General Hospital in Accra has recorded 197 cases of cholera in two weeks. Six people have also died of the disease. Out of this number, four died before reaching the hospital while the other two died while on admission.
The administrator of the hospital, Mr Philip Afeti Korto, disclosed this when the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo, visited the hospital, to assess the cholera outbreak situation.
Mr Korto said the high reported cases of cholera at the hospital could be attributed to insanitary conditions.
He pointed out that more lives could be saved if the cases of cholera were reported early. �We have the resources to treat any person with cholera�, he assured.
He, however, said the hospital did not have enough space to accommodate the increasing number of patients who reported to the hospital.
Mr Korto added that the cholera unit of the hospital could accommodate 13 patients but �we do not have the space to accommodate more patients, so we are compelled to use the benches as �beds� to accommodate them."
He advised the public to be cautious of the food they eat and also appealed to them to wash their hands before and after eating.
Awareness creation
For his part, Nii Afotey Agbo said there was the need to create awareness on cholera, adding that �we have to keep educating the public to prevent the disease�.
He said his visit was to assess the situation at the hospital and also collaborate with officials of the hospital to effectively respond to the needs of the affected patients.
Nii Afotey Agbo donated GH�1,000 to the hospital and gave the assurance that his outfit would provide the hospital with the necessary materials to help treat the patients.
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