Ebola vaccine trial in Ghana will not spread virus- Health Minister

Health Minister, Alex Segbefia has allayed fears the controversial Ebola vaccine trial might lead to the spread of the Ebola virus in the country.

Answering questions on the floor of Parliament, Tuesday, the Minister admitted there has not been enough stakeholder engagement on the vaccine trial, hence the need to suspend the process.

He however dismissed the claim the trial has started, adding that a comprehensive nationwide public education exercise will begin in Accra on Thursday as a prelude for the vaccination trial.

The intended vaccination trial for the deadly Ebola virus in Hohoe in the Volta Region created a major uproar in the country especially in Hohoe in the Volta Region.

Parliament waded into the controversy with members unanimously demanding that the trial be suspended.

Some of the members did not think Ghana was a suitable destination for the vaccination trial of such a deadly virus.

Another MP thought the vaccination should first be tried on rats, chimpanzees and other animals rather than selecting human beings in Ghana to try the vaccination on them.

Adansi Asokwa MP, KT Hammond berated the 200 cedis and one mobile phone incentive given to volunteers of the trial and called for an end to the exercise.

The Speaker, Edward Doe Adjaho agreed with the sentiments of the MPs and directed that the vaccination trial be halted.

He also instructed the Minister of Health to appear before the House and explain the circumstances under which such a trial was approved.

Joy News' Parliamentary correspondent Elton John Brobbey said the Minister appeared before the House, Tuesday, saying Ghana was chosen as a destination point for the trial due to the country's proximity to the Ebola plagued countries. Already over 10,000 people in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone have died as a result of the deadly virus.

According to him, the World Health Organisation wrote to four countries including Senegal and Mali to accept the possibility of becoming the destination points for the Ebola vaccination trial.

Ghana was subsequently chosen out of the four, he intimated but added the Food and Drugs Authority which has the statutory power to undertake such trials is yet to import the vaccine into the country.

He also explained that Hohoe was selected in Ghana for the trial because since 1976, the area has always been the destination for all the country's vaccination trials.

He said the public sensitization programme will begin on Thursday.