info@businessghana.com
Dr Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, the Director of Public Health, Ghana Health Service (GHS), has tasked the Western Regional Health Directorate to re-strategise its efforts to ascertain the driving force behind the spike in Mpox cases in the region.
According to him, despite improved efforts to curb the situation, the region was currently the hot spot for the disease as half of the cases recorded across the country were from the region.
Dr Asiedu-Bekoe mentioned this when the Deputy Minister of Health, and World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Representative to Ghana, among other officials visited the Western Regional Health Directorate, in Sekondi.
The data from health officials shows that the Western Region has 15 new confirmed cases and cumulative confirmed cases of 224 from 13 districts. It was revealed that three people were admitted, 31 on home care and 190 recoveries with zero deaths. Dr Asiedu-Bekoe: ".
As we speak about half of the cases in the country are from Western Region, so obviously this place is the epicenter, and we must do things differently because you are doing now is not achieving purpose." He, therefore, tasked the health officials to move beyond current interventions and devise new strategies to help end the spread of the Mpox disease in the region.
Dr Fiona Braka, the WHO Country Representative to Ghana, said the working visit was to delve deeper to understand the causes and drivers of transmission, and determine how to intensify response to end the outbreak.
She said to be able to eradicate the outbreak, public health officials and other relevant stakeholders should collaborate and understand the cause of the spread and respond with appropriate interventions. Meanwhile, Dr Braka stated that Ghana would soon receive vaccinations as an added intervention to help combat the spread of the disease. Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, the Deputy Minister for Health, commended the health directorate for their efforts so far in helping to contain the spread of the outbreak, but asked them to do more to achieve the desired outcomes.
The GASP said the pervasive stigma and silence of suicide within and across nations continued to hinder open discussion about the topic, cutting-edge research, identification and prevention of risk factors, and disclosures of suicidal intent for professional support.
The Association indicated that the call to action involved developing and implementing evidence-based strategies, improving access to quality care and ensuring that those in distress received the support they needed.
Research continues to reveal underlying mental health challenges including depression, anxiety, stress, and sociocentric factors such as poverty, interpersonal and romantic relationship conflicts, oppression and marginalization, cultural, and religious factors, among a host of factors that elevate suicide risk in the general population.
The GASP identified Parent-child conflicts, poor academic performance, lack of reasons for living, meaninglessness, substance use and misuse, gambling and pornographic addictions, excessive and unregulated screen time among others have been linked to suicide among children and young people.
"Suicide is the third cause of death among 15-29-year-olds globally, and more than 720,000 people take their lives annually around the world. Africa records the highest rate of suicide (11.5 per 100,000 people) compared to other regions of the world and the global average of 8.9 suicides per 100,000 people," it said.
The statement indicated that recent WHO estimates suggested that in Ghana, 8.1 persons per 100,000 people died by suicide in 2021, saying, "suicide is not only a personal, family and community problem, it is also an economic challenge.
The GASP estimated that a death by suicide cost an average present value of 92,576 dollars per year, an imperative for African Governments, particularly Ghana, to prioritise suicide prevention generally among adolescent and young adult, specifically through the development of comprehensive suicide prevention policies.
GASP is a non-governmental, non-profit-making organization of professionals committed to suicide prevention in Ghana, committed to drive the change in narrative locally.
As part of its local efforts, GASP is working closely with major stakeholders including WHO Ghana Office, LifeLine International and media personnel to develop locally sensitive guidelines for changing the narrative through responsible suicide reporting.
"Let's all work together to change the narrative to prevent suicides. Suicide prevention is everyone's business," it said.
