The Ghana Education Service (GES) has stated that some students and staff of the Kumasi Academy, the epicentre of the dreaded H1N1 Influenza outbreak have been vaccinated.
The recent update comes after the Minority Chief Whip in Parliament Muntaka Mubarak urged families of the four students who died as a result of the scourge to sue the government of Ghana for negligence.
According to him, the government’s handling of the respiratory illness at the school since the outbreak had been woeful.
He went further to claim in an exclusive interview with Starr News’ Parliamentary Correspondent Ibrahim Alhassan that students and staff of the Academy were yet to be vaccinated since the confirmation of the existence of H1N1 Influenza strain in the school by the Minister of Health Kwaku Agyemang-Manu.
“That’s the way to go. We need to hold people responsible for their action…if anybody is going to [sue] I will be happy to support,” he stated.
But in a statement issued Thursday, the GES contradicted Minority Chief Whip’s claim that the student and staff of the Academy were yet to be vaccinated.
“The Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service and the Ministry of Education met with the WHO Ghana Representative soon after press briefing on 7th December 2017 and arrangements have been made to procure and air lift anti-viral agents (Tamiflu) and vaccines for use. Some students and staff have already received vaccinations,” the statement signed by the GES’ Director-General Prof. Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa stated.
It continued that Tamiflu is expected in the country by 15 December 2017 and the vaccines by 16th December, 2017 noting “The situation is under control and there have not been new reported cases.”
In respect of Damango Senior High School, Bawku Senior High Technical School, Koforidua Senior High Technical School and Tampene Senior High School, where meningitis is suspected to have caused the deaths of some students, the GES said they are awaiting the medical reports from the Ghana Health Service, including their recommendations on the way forward and will update the public accordingly upon receipt.
The GES said it is monitoring the situation in all senior high schools across the country.
“We therefore appeal to parents and the general public to remain calm as we implement all the necessary safety measures in this regard,” the statement by the GES’ Director General said.
Source: Ghana/Starrfmonline.com/103.5FM
