Minister outlines measures to fight swine flu outbreak

Health Minister, Dr. George Sepa Yankey says the country has put up adequate measures to prevent an outbreak of swine Flu in the country.

He told Joy FM's Super Morning Show host Kojo Oppong Nkrumah on Thursday, health professionals have been stationed at the Kotoka International Airport to screen all who enter into the country.

He said the country is already facing a myriad of health problems and would not want to add the swine flu to the growing list of health challenges.

Dr. Yankey noted surveillance systems have been reactivated at all border posts to keep the country free from the disease.

Allaying the fears of pork consumers, Mr Yankey said pork products in the country are safe for consumption but advised they be well cooked.

The Health Ministry in conjunction with the Agricultural ministry banned the importation of pork products as a precaution against the influx of swine flu infected products into the country.

Mr. Yankey also blamed the deplorable state of health care delivery in the country to the lack of priority by the previous government.

He could not fathom how the government could spend over GH¢10,000 in the purchase of two presidential jets and another $50 million on Ghana @ 50 celebrations when those funds could easily have been channelled into providing facilities in the health sector.

“We behave like fish in water and still complain of being thirsty,” he noted.

Mr. Yankey could not hide his disgust over the deplorable state of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.

According to him, pregnant women due for caesarean delivery had to queue with preference given to women who were delivering for the first time.

This he said was unacceptable and pledged to “change the landscape of the health sector” under his stewardship as the sector minister.

Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline