The Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (GAMLS) has appealed to the government and benevolent individuals and organisations, to help boost the medical laboratories in the Upper West Region.
This according to the group would ensure early diagnosing, management, and treatment of the outbreak of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) in the area.
Mr Michael Amoah Gyansah, the Upper West Regional Chairman of GAMLS, made the call at the maiden dinner and awards night for members of the group in Wa, the regional capital.
He said currently, it was only the Upper West Regional Hospital that had the capacity to confirm suspected meningitis cases.
He said the rest of the laboratories in the region could perform only basic tests such as gram staining, glucose and protein tests, and globulin tests among others, which resulted in delayed diagnosis and treatment.
Mr Gyansah also called for financial clearance for the recruitment of medical laboratory scientists, to augment staff strength of the region due to its present challenge with inadequate personnel, which affected the “turn-around time for the CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) investigation”.
“We call on the government, non-governmental organisations, philanthropists, and individuals to urgently support the improvement of testing capacities in our district and municipal hospitals, to do culture and sensitivity testing,” he said.
Mr Gyansah called for urgent retooling of laboratories in the district and municipal hospitals with PCR machines for prompt confirmation of suspected meningitis cases and to enable those hospitals conduct culture and sensitivity testing to confirm bacterial agents.
He stressed the need for the government to take steps to build staff capacity for prompt, efficient and accurate diagnosis of cases, including CSM.
Mr Gyansah indicated that GAMLS was collaborating with the Ghana Health Service, the Regional Health Directorate, and other stakeholders to contain the outbreak.
He appealed to the public to observe the meningitis prevention measures such as avoiding close contact with anyone showing symptoms, practising good hygiene including regular washing of hands, proper ventilation and to get vaccinated if recommended by health authorities among others.
Mr Gyansah appealed to the public to report signs of the disease, including sudden onset of fever; headache, stiffness of neck, vomiting and sensitivity to light among others to the nearest health facility for prompt attention.
The GAMLS said as of February 6, 2025, the region had recorded 60 suspected cases, 16 confirmed cases, and 14 confirmed deaths.
This represented a 23.33 per cent case fatality rate, which required urgent measures, including enhanced testing for timely diagnosis and treatment to help contain it and reduce the fatalities. —GNA
