Minister for Health Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has been directed to appear before Parliament within a week to provide a comprehensive briefing on the outbreak of cholera, cerebrospinal meningitis, and other public health emergencies in parts of the country.

The directive, issued by First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor on Tuesday, February 11, follows concerns raised by Members of Parliament (MPs) over rising disease outbreaks and the strain on healthcare facilities.

Leading the charge, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin delivered a statement on the floor of Parliament highlighting the severity of the cholera outbreak in Effutu Municipality, where 412 cases have been recorded, resulting in three deaths.

"Mr Speaker, currently, we have affected persons receiving treatment at the Winneba Municipal Hospital, the Winneba Health Center, and the UEW Clinic. These facilities are overstretched," he added.

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According to him, the Municipal Health Director says the local health system is in dire need of funding for operations, including fuel and sanitation efforts, procurement of urgent medical supplies and treatment kits and logistical support for public education and awareness campaigns.

To support the local response, he noted that he had donated a pickup vehicle and financial assistance to aid the activities of the health directorate. However, he stated that these efforts alone were not enough without urgent government intervention.

“The Municipal Assembly has no funds to support efforts to educate the public and provide relief to those suffering in various health facilities. The central government must immediately intervene to save lives. The people are suffering" Mr Afenyo-Markin urged.

In response, First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor who was presiding over the House issued a firm directive: "I direct the Health Minister to appear before the House within one week to brief Parliament on all the health issues raised on the floor. Speaker, I so direct."