SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT DONATES ESSENTIAL MEDICINES WORTH OVER 300K CEDIS TOWARDS FIGHT AGAINST CSM OUTBREAK IN UPPER WEST

The speaker of Parliament, RT Hon. Alban S.K Bagbin has donated essential medicines towards the fight against the Meningitis outbreak in the upper west region.

The donation to the tune of 300,000 Ghana cedis was made to the regional health directorate at a time when the region is in a race against time to curb the Meningitis outbreak that has also led to the loss of lives. 

As at 16th Feb,2025, the updated figures of the outbreaks as reported by the regional health director of health services Dr Damien Pumguyiri indicated the case stands as follows. Suspected cases stood at 129, 22 confirmed cases of meningitis, 16 confirmed deaths, 29 on admission, 3 in critical condition and being managed. 

Many others according to the director were treated and discharged. 

According to Dr Damien, the major challenge towards fighting the outbreak is the fact that many cases are still reporting late to the hospital, this he believes in intense media and public campaign will help to create awareness to the fact that treatment now is free and lack of resources should not pose a challenge towards the seeking of medical care. 

He called on well meaning Ghanaians to help in whatever area they can. But particularly was very appreciative of the gesture by the RT Hon Speaker Alban Bagbin for the quick response when his attention was drawn to the situation. 

RT Honorable Speaker took the opportunity to register his readiness to do more in his own capacity as son of the region and a former minister of health to curb the outbreak. 

He further admonished all citizens of the region to take their health seriously before the health authorities can do their best to help. In his opinion, the moto of the Ghana health service should instead of being "Your Health; Our Concern" it should rather be, "Our Health; Our Concern" this he believes will drum home the point that, everyones health should first be their concern before anyone can help them.

RT Hon. Bagbin encourage health staff to do their best and authorities will be available to support when need be. 

The Upper West Parliamentary caucus represented by Honorable Bede A. Ziedeng who doubles as MP for Lawra also donated 10,000 Ghana cedis on behalf of the Upper West Parliamentary caucus. This he believes will go along way to help in other logistical required areas in the fight against the outbreak. 

Upper West Regional Minister Honorable Charles Lwanga Puozuing who received the items on behalf of the Regional Health directorate used the occasion to thank the speaker for his regular advise and requested for him to keep his doors open for him to tap into his wide experience in handling the Region as minister. He indicated that, the region received a sum of 100,000 cedis from the National Lottery Authority when they made the request towards the fight against the outbreak of Meningitis when it came to light a week ago. This is a further boost to the fight against outbreak. 

Dr Damien Pumguyiri who concluded the program indicated that, all efforts are on deck to address and press head on in the fight, he however admitted that, the real danger is still ahead as the month of March still posed a significant challenge since it's a month of intense heat within the Northern belt. But was quick to add that, the singular gesture of this donation will prepare them adequately towards what may come. 

The Rt Honorable speaker Bagbin was accompanied by his spouse and other NDC party members including staff of the regional hospital who were present to appreciate the kind gesture of the speaker of Ghana's parliament to the region.