First Deputy Speaker demands urgent action as CSM kills 14 in Upper West.

First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Bernard Ahiafor, has directed the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to take immediate action to control the outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM).

CSM has so far claimed 14 lives in the Upper West Region alone with 60 recorded cases and a very high case fatality rate of 23.33%.

Delivering a statement on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, February 6, MP for Daffiama Bussie Issa, Dr Sebastian Sandare, called for swift intervention.

“This calls for urgent, enhanced disease control measures. Mr Speaker, I appeal to the government, the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organisation, UNICEF, and other stakeholders to mobilize technical, financial, and logistical support immediately to help control and prevent the outbreak,” he urged.

Dr Sandare emphasized the need for cross-border collaboration to curb the spread and proposed the establishment of a Public Health Emergency Fund to ensure sustained funding for current and future outbreaks.

In response, the First Deputy Speaker, presiding in the Speaker’s absence, directed the Ministry of Health to take immediate remedial action.

“The Ministry of Health must create awareness, conduct contact tracing, intensify medical care for affected victims, and consider establishing a Public Health Emergency Fund to handle outbreaks. I so direct,” he ordered.

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