IFRC trains 80 cholera-prevention volunteers in W/R
The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) has organised a cholera response training for 80 volunteers to help educate the public, and also raise awareness on curbing the recent epidemic in the Western Region.
The four-day training, which ended on Sunday, equipped the participants from seven districts including Shama, Sekondi-Takoradi, Effia- Kwesiminstim, Ahanta West, Nzema East, Ellembelle and Tarkwa, with the skills to attend to community needs, especially as the rains approached.
The volunteers went through lessons on understanding cholera and prevention, detection, stigmatisation and basic Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT) skills.
In an interview with the Ghanaian Times after closing ceremony, the IFRC Cholera Surge Representative, Faith Dube, believed that it had become critical to use community approach and volunteers’ strategies to stem the tide of cholera epidemic in the Western Region.
The project, he explained, would spanned three months leading to the establishment of an Oral Hydration Points, as first aid in communities mostly noted for the cholera outbreaks.
“We are also procuring chlorine and other hand-washing facilities in the communities,” Mr Dube told The Ghanaian Times.
The Western Regional Manager for the Ghana Red Cross Society, Benjamin Acquah, for his part, noted that other programmes including cleanup campaigns, public engagements and radio and community information centres, would be used to increase awareness and also enhance public education.
The Regional Chairman of Red Cross, Frank Ofosu Asante, said fishing communities had been targeted as critical hotspots for epidemic control.
The National Vice Chairman, Edward Donkor, stated that deaths due to cholera was unacceptable and encouraged communities to keep their surroundings clean in order to avoid the spread of disease.
FROM CLEMENT ADZEI BOYE, FIJAI
