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Mpox concerns heighten as Ashanti Region tests 10 suspected cases

Health authorities in the Ashanti Region are ramping up surveillance on Mpox, though the region has yet to record any case.

The Ghana Health Service says the region is on high alert as part of broader national efforts to contain the spread of the disease.

Speaking at a media briefing in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Fred Adomako Boateng, revealed that ten suspected cases have been tested in the region so far, all returning negative.

“Currently, we have recorded some cases of MPOX in the country. As I speak, in the Ashanti region we have suspected 10 of them but all of them are negative,” he disclosed.

Dr. Adomako Boateng emphasized that the disease, which spreads through close physical contact, requires clinicians to conduct thorough examinations, including of private and less-visible areas, to detect early signs of the infection.

“Because Mpox is transmitted through physical close contact, we entreat our clinicians and other people that when you’re examining people, make sure that you examine the private areas and the inner areas, because they can also have the rashes there and they are absent in the other places,” he urged.

He also noted that people with underlying health conditions are at higher risk of severe illness and encouraged the public to manage any existing medical issues effectively.

“People who have other challenges are likely to have it and when they have it, they tend to develop severe forms of the disease. So make sure when you have any other problem, you are on your medications,” he added.

While there is currently no vaccine in use in Ghana, Dr. Adomako Boateng assured that measures have been taken to manage suspected cases across health facilities.

“For all the hospitals and facilities, we have sent an alert note… Every facility is also to ensure that they have what we call an isolation area, so that when someone is presented with this and you think it’s likely to be Mpox, you make sure at least that person is taken from the general OPD area and taken there,” he said.

Health officials continue to monitor the situation closely and are urging the public to report symptoms and avoid close contact with anyone suspected of being infected.

UNFPA embarks on free obstetric fistula surgeries for underprivileged women in five major hospitals

The United Nations Population Fund and local health authorities have launched an initiative offering free obstetric fistula surgeries at five major hospitals in Ghana.

Over 200,000 Ghanaian women suffer obstetric fistula, which causes uncontrollable leakage of urine or faeces, resulting from a hole between the birth canal and bladder or rectum.
The initiative, led by the Partnership to End Fistula in Ghana (PEFIC) will repair such cases and provide comprehensive assistance and reintegration support to help survivors reclaim their lives.

Over 800,000 births occur in Ghana every year.

However, the process is not always smooth as obstetric fistula hunts a lot of women who undergo childbirth.

Victims across the country recount physical traumas, and social isolation as the prolonged and obstructed labor leave aspiring mothers in an incontinent condition, with many even losing their babies.

“I didn’t experience any complications after giving birth. But after a month, I started excreting and urinating uncontrollably. Because of this, I’ve not gone out for the year. I would rather prevent the shame and stay back,” 29-year-old Sumaya Abdul Rahim shares.

“I can’t even go to church and I feel I need to be isolated from people. I use pampers and I feared that I might stain myself unprovoked anywhere, so I would rather not go out to even work,” 33-year-old mother of five and trader,” Vida Opoku said.

In a transformative effort to bring normalcy again to such Ghanaian women suffering from incontinence, the United Nations Population Fund and partnering health authorities, have dedicated the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (Kumasi), Ho Teaching Hospital (Volta Region), Tamale West Hospital (Northern Region), Mercy Women Catholic Hospital (Central Region), and Upper West Regional Hospital for free fistula repairs and surgeries.

The intervention forms part of renewed efforts of UNFPA and other partners to eliminate Obstetric Fistula in Ghana by 2030.

Programme Specialist, Reproductive Health at UNFPA, Dela Bright Gle, explains that the intervention aims to bridge the backlogs of untreated cases and create more awareness about the life threatening condition.

She highlighted the need to confront the stigma and isolation that fistula survivors endure.

“There is an urgent need to bring public awareness on obstetrics fistula issues, prevention, reintegration, repairs, and the need for partnerships to eliminate fistula in developing countries. UNFPA’s partnership to end fistula in Ghana has grown to 19 organizations with support of resources, infrastructure, and sharing of their personnel. Women should not suffer because of this and its misconceptions; a very treatable situation and can fully be eradicated. We need society to understand,” she said.

During the commemorative event at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi on the International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, 50 women were screened.

The free repair surgeries are estimated to cost each patient about $700, covering transportation, surgery, and two weeks of recovery care.

Obstetric Fistula Surgeon at KATH, Dr Baffour Opoku, recounting instances of the burden of condition, indicated that the Obstetric Fistula is treatable with quality obstetric professionals and care.

“There’s still more to be done, although now there’s a lot of antenatal hospital visits so not many new fistulas are being formed like before. Despite its complexities, it is very treatable. We only need extremely experienced surgeons. The first repair is always the best repair. For patients here this day, we are hoping to operate on all of them by the end of the period,” he said.

The excited victims who have been set on the path of recovery from the burdens of Obstetric Fistula expressed their appreciation for the timely intervention.

“God thank UNFPA for this intervention. It will bring me back to my old life and I will feel okay to go in public again and get back to my work,” Sumaya Abdul said.

“Ever since I visited the hospital, I’ve been feeling a lot better, and I believe that after a successful surgery, I will be my normal self again. I am grateful for this intervention. I will be able to come back to my normal life, and get back to work,” Vida Opoku said

Christ the King youth lead blood donation campaign

The Young Christian Workers Movement (YCWM) of Christ the King Catholic Church has reaffirmed its commitment to saving lives by organising its annual blood donation exercise in partnership with health institutions, drawing dozens of voluntary donors to support the country’s urgent need for blood.

The initiative forms part of YCWM’s longstanding mission to contribute to national health efforts and encourage a culture of voluntary blood donation among the youth and wider community.

The movement has been at the forefront of this life-saving campaign for over fifteen years.
Held on Sunday, the blood donation exercise brought together parishioners and health professionals at the forecourt of Christ the King Catholic Church in Accra.

Medical staff from the 37 Military Hospital were on-site to assist donors and ensure the smooth running of the event, which saw enthusiastic participation from first-time and regular donors alike.

Speaking during the event, Flight Lieutenant Rashid Bashiru, a Medical Laboratory Scientist with the Blood Bank Department at the 37 Military Hospital, urged Ghanaians to embrace voluntary blood donation as a lifesaving civic duty.

“A single unit of donated blood can save up to three lives. Blood is essential to human survival, and donating even twice a year could save up to six lives annually,” he said in an interview with the media.

He emphasised the need for individuals to take personal responsibility in supporting the national blood supply encouraging citizens not to wait for special campaigns but to visit nearby hospitals and donate regularly.

The President of the Young Christian Workers Movement, Ms. Lucy Dzata, highlighted the group’s longstanding support for blood donation efforts adding that “for more than fifteen years, we have been organising these drives to help maintain adequate blood supplies in our hospitals. It is our way of giving back and ensuring that no life is lost due to the lack of blood.”

Some of the donors at the event shared personal motivations for participating, expressing their desire to contribute to saving lives and encouraging others to follow suit.

The YCWM continues to play a vital role in promoting health and community service in Ghana, and their partnership with the 37 Military Hospital underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in strengthening the country’s healthcare system.

Abuakwa South MP leads groundbreaking study on obesity intervention gaps in Sub-Saharan Africa

A landmark international study led by Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, Dr Kingsley Agyemang, has uncovered a significant shortfall in obesity intervention research across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

The study, titled “Effectiveness of Obesity Interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses”, was published recently in PLOS ONE, a Q1-ranked, peer-reviewed journal of high impact.

It highlights the urgent need for context-specific public health strategies, warning that although obesity rates across Africa are rising rapidly, the continent lacks sufficient local evidence to drive effective policy and intervention.

Conducted as part of an international collaboration, the research reviewed over 419,000 academic records but identified only seven eligible studies, all originating from South Africa. This startling finding underscores the critical lack of regional data from other Sub-Saharan African countries and signals an urgent call to action for more inclusive research across the continent.

At the forefront of this pioneering effort is Dr Agyemang, whose unique dual role as legislator and academic places him in a strategic position to bridge the gap between research and policymaking in Ghana and beyond. His leadership has been instrumental in drawing national and regional attention to the growing obesity crisis.

“Sub-Saharan Africa is battling an epidemic of obesity, yet we lack the necessary evidence base to guide our policies and interventions,” Dr Agyemang remarked. “We must craft solutions that are context-specific and culturally sensitive to address this crisis head-on.”

The meta-analysis revealed that structured physical activity programmes—particularly those combining aerobic and resistance training—led to a significant reduction of approximately 34% in overweight and obesity rates.

However, these interventions had a statistically insignificant effect on waist circumference, a key marker of abdominal obesity.

Given the narrow geographical scope of the studies, Dr Agyemang issued a firm call for wider, country-specific research efforts. “Our findings offer only a limited perspective,” he cautioned. “The fact that all qualifying studies were based in one country shows the scale of the challenge.

Much of sub-Saharan Africa remains in a data vacuum when it comes to evidence-based obesity prevention.”

In addition to physical activity, the study assessed other interventions such as health education and micronutrient supplementation. However, the limited data available prevented conclusive assessments of their long-term effectiveness.

The review also revealed a widespread lack of sustainability planning across existing interventions—an area that must be urgently addressed.

Professor Peter Agyei-Baffour, Dean of the School of Public Health at KNUST, praised the study as a forward-thinking contribution with major public health implications. “With obesity posing a threat not only to health outcomes but also to economic development in SSA, we can no longer afford to rely on borrowed models,” he said. “This study is a critical step towards developing our own robust evidence base.”

The findings have begun to gain traction in both public health and policy circles, positioning Dr Agyemang as a leading voice at the intersection of science and governance. His role as MP provides a crucial platform for translating research insights into legislative action.

“This is not just about academic research,” Dr Agyemang concluded. “It is about applying knowledge to influence policy, protect communities, and create healthier futures for our people.”

The full study is available upon request and stands as a valuable resource for academics, practitioners, and policymakers working to design and implement effective obesity interventions across sub-Saharan Africa.

Ghana confirms 10 new mpox cases, bringing total to 19

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has confirmed 10 new cases of Mpox, formerly known as Monkeypox, bringing the country’s total case count to 19.

According to health officials, five of the confirmed cases are currently on admission and are receiving treatment. No fatalities have been recorded so far in the latest outbreak.

The GHS has assured the public that it is actively monitoring the situation and has intensified surveillance measures across the country, particularly in affected areas.

Mpox, a viral zoonotic disease related to smallpox, typically presents with symptoms such as fever, intense headache, swollen lymph nodes, back pain, muscle aches, and skin rashes. It is transmitted from person to person through close contact with lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets, and contaminated materials such as bedding.

In countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Nigeria, Mpox remains endemic, with intermittent surges in cases, often exacerbated by gaps in healthcare infrastructure, inadequate public health education, and challenges in rural surveillance.

The DRC, in particular, continues to report the highest number of cases globally, underscoring the need for a coordinated regional strategy.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently called for increased investment in Mpox diagnostics, vaccine research, and public education campaigns across Africa, warning that the virus could spread further if not contained effectively.

WHO also advocates for de-stigmatising public discourse around Mpox to ensure that affected individuals are not marginalised or deterred from seeking care.

Over 30k unemployed Allied Health Professionals to protest recruitment delays

The Coalition of Unemployed Allied Health Professionals Association of Ghana (COUAHP) is furious over the government’s failure to employ thousands of qualified health professionals who have remained jobless since 2019.

They include trained Medical Laboratory Scientists, Physiotherapists, Radiographers, Health Information Officers, Disease Control Officers, Community Mental Health Officers, Nutritionists, and Dietitians.

The aggrieved group is decrying what members describe as neglect and systematic discrimination, despite critical shortages in public health facilities.

The over 30,000 aggrieved youth demand immediate recruitment, transparent timelines, and a national policy to avert nationwide protests.

Medical Laboratory Professional Workers’ Union (MELPWU) recently called on the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, and other stakeholders to immediately address the long-standing delay in recruitment of allied health professionals.

Despite this call, the Coalition of Unemployed Allied Health Professionals Association of Ghana (COUAHP) has noticed the non-responsiveness and is demanding immediate posting.

Members of the coalition wrapped their heads and hands with red bands to register their displeasure for what they term as “injustice”.

The group says that despite fulfilling all professional requirements, their employment has lagged for over six years.

Public Relations Officer of the Coalition, Hussein Abdul-Baaki, is blaming the government for unfair demands for professional license renewal which has increased their financial hardship.

“Despite completing our mandatory national service, passing our licensure examinations, and remaining committed and ready to serve the nation, many of us have remained unemployed as far back as 2019. This is a disturbing reality in a country where public health facilities are plagued with chronic staff shortages, particularly in the areas of diagnostics, disease surveillance, rehabilitation, and health information management.

“Adding to the injustice, we are required by law to renew our professional licenses annually at a significant personal cost even though we are not employed and not permitted to practice. This is deeply unfair and further exacerbates the emotional, psychological, and financial hardship we are already burdened with,” he said.

The aggrieved unemployed professional group is demanding immediate recruitment and clear national intervention for sustainable employment terms that ensure regular employment for allied health graduates.

They announced that a delay in response to their plea will result in a nationwide protest.

“We demand immediate financial clearance and recruitment of all qualified but unemployed Allied Health professionals from 2019 to date. An end to recurring bureaucratic bottlenecks that frustrate the employment process. Clear timelines and full transparency from the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Finance on recruitment plans.

“We need a comprehensive national policy for sustainable health workforce planning, equitable recruitment, and investment in human resources for health. Equal and fair treatment of Allied Health professionals in all health sector decisions. If no decisive action is taken to address this issue, we will embark on a massive nationwide demonstration to demand our right to employment, fairness, and dignity,” said Hussein.

Ghana’s Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti wins 2025 Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award

Head of Nursing at the National Radiotherapy, Oncology and Nuclear Medicine Centre at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti, has been named the winner of the prestigious 2025 Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award.

The award, which comes with a prize of $250,000, recognises exceptional nurses from around the world who have demonstrated outstanding dedication, innovation, and impact in the field of healthcare.

Mrs. Oyoe Ohene’s victory is a proud moment for Ghana and a powerful tribute to the vital role of nurses in cancer care and beyond.

Speaking after receiving the award in Dubai on Monday, May 26, she expressed deep gratitude and reflected on her professional journey.

“Over two decades ago, I began my nursing journey with a simple mission to ease pain, bring hope and walk alongside those battling cancer. In Sub-Saharan Africa, I have witnessed firsthand inequities in cancer care, especially in under-resourced communities, but I have also seen the immense potential of nurses to lead transformative change,” she said.

She was earlier shortlisted as one of the top 10 finalists from across the globe, selected from thousands of nominations.

Her work at Ghana’s foremost oncology centre has been widely commended for its compassionate care, clinical excellence, and advocacy for improved cancer treatment in the country.

She said, “My passion for oncology nursing was born out of a desire to bridge this gap and deliver compassionate, high-quality care to those who need it most.”

Her recognition not only highlights her personal achievements but also shines a light on the critical contributions of oncology nurses in Ghana’s healthcare system. Her efforts have helped bridge gaps in palliative care, enhanced patient support systems, and promoted awareness of early cancer detection and treatment.

The Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award is an initiative of Aster DM Healthcare, aimed at honouring nurses who have gone above and beyond in their duties to care, heal, and innovate. Mrs. Oyoe Ohene’s win places her among a distinguished cohort of global health professionals whose work is transforming lives daily.

According to her, “This award affirms it more, dreams and empowers me to do even more. It is more than recognition, it is a catalyst for lasting change. I am committed to using it to amplify the voice of African nurses and expand access to cancer care, and build a legacy of leadership and excellence in oncology nursing across our continent (Africa).”

As Naomi Oyoe Ohene Oti brings the award home, she carries with her not just international acclaim, but the hopes of many who continue to believe in the power of care to change the world.

The Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award, one of the most distinguished recognitions in the nursing profession, received over 100,000 registrations from nurses across 199 countries.

Herbal medicines in pharmaceutical grade capsules, tablets to hit local market

Some members of the Herbal Manufacturers Association of Ghana have commenced processes to convert liquid mixtures into other modernized medications.

Pharmaceutical grade capsules, tablets and repositories are among the modern forms the medication will take.

This is part of measures to improve efficacy and standardize dosage for consumers.

The move is in response to training in modern means of herbal medicine production received from the Herbal Medicine Department of the KNUST’s School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

President of the Herbal Manufacturers Association of Ghana, Dr. Solomon Appiah Kubi explains the manufacturers have received improved knowledge in plant extraction to improve their produce.

“We are no longer just powdering the plant materials and putting them into shells, we are doing the extraction, granulation so we can do tableting or capsulation,” he said.

With this process, dosage of products will be standardized to compete on the international market.

Over the years, most herbal medicines are produced in liquid mixtures.

Though effective, users will have to use the medication over some time before realizing the needed results.

Some herbal medicine manufacturers are envisaging an improvement in the products in the near future.

Dr. Amuzu of Amuzu Herbal Clinic believes, “our medication will be more effective and portable to carry around. It will be kept neat as well. Medication with duration for treatment marked fourteen days will be reduced to three days.”

Aside from extraction, herbal materials processing and modernization of the products, the herbal medicine manufacturers were also trained in prevention of microbial and toxic metal contamination.

Dr. Appiah Kubi has emphasized the implementation of the training received forms part of processes to attain International Standard Organisation’s certification for locally-manufactured herbal medicines.

The Herbal Medicine Department of KNUST has committed to furthering training on documentation as part of a roadmap towards meeting ISO certification.

Head of Department, Prof. Isaac Kingsley Amponsah has revealed a lot will be done towards meeting ISO certification.

“ISO has certain requirements they will have to meet. This will require re-engineering of their entire production facility, work flow and more importantly their documentation,” he added.

Meanwhile, the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at KNUST has assured to further monitor the herbal medicine sector and design programs to meet their needs.