Tema Port Health vaccinates 3,304 against diseases

Tema, Jan 01, GNA - The Tema Port Health Office vaccinated a total of 3,304 people against various diseases in 2005 as against 3,510 in 2004. Mr Edward Sakah, Port Health Superintendent, who told the GNA in an interview at Tema on Monday, broke the figure down as yellow fever 2,632, Cerebro Spinal Meningitis (CSM) 450 and hepatitis B 222. Those who received the vaccination were mostly seamen of other nationals and some Ghanaians, especially Muslims going on pilgrimage to Mecca.

Mr Sakah said much emphasis has been on yellow fever, which is the World Health Organization requirement for all people leaving and entering the country.

However, because there has been high demand from the public for inoculation against the CSM and hepatitis B, his outfit introduced it into their routine programme.

Pertinent among them were nationals from the land locked countries like Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, who use the Tema port for their transit goods due to the sporadic outbreak of the diseases in their respective countries during the dry season.

Hitherto, he said most people were taking their inoculation from other inoculation centres such as the 37 Military Hospital and the Adabraka Polyclinic.

He urged on the public to call at the office for their inoculation because it is stocked with vaccines and should not wait until any outbreak before rushing for it.

He said it was very important to have periodic inoculation for the body to resist to any disease during an outbreak. Touching o expired food items, the Port Superintendent warned any importer, who has expired food items to liaise with the relevant agencies such as the Customs Excise and Preventive Service and his outfit for early destruction to avoid seizure.

"Presently, there is a container full of expired food items such as flour, and meat awaiting destruction by my outfit".

Mr Saka was quick to add that, the food items were normally imported in very good condition but they get expired as a result of power fluctuation either at sea in the course of the voyage or at the cold store in the country.

He said plans were underway to spray the inner perimeter of the port to enable operators go about their duties without disturbances of rats and other rodents.