The Ghana Health Service has dismissed reports that it is overwhelmed by the situation at the Kumasi Academy where some 11 students have died of a yet to be identified ailment since the beginning of the year.

Four of the deaths have occurred over the last one week.

The Health minister Dr. Kwaku Agyemang Manu is contemplating closing down the school after consent is sought from the Education minister.

Some Ghanaians have accused the Health system of a disorganized response to the crisis as some 23 more students are being monitored of the infection.


Speaking to Francis Abban on Morning Starr Thusrday, the Director General of the Ghana Health Service Dr. Nsiah Asare said people indicting the response of the health service are ignorant.

“Don’t hold GHS responsible, don’t hold KUMACA responsible for the loss of lives. It was an epidemic and we have a robust system to counter it. The media didn’t do their work right because they created fear and panic which shouldn’t have been the case. When there is an epidemic, nobody can be held responsible for the lives lost. It is an epidemic.

“In Ghana, we are too quick to condemn people. I do not think the GHS has failed at all. We are not overwhelmed. Since Friday, we’ve been on top of issues,” he said.

Meanwhile, government has released GHC100,000 for the various interventions being taken to stop the deaths.

source:starrfmonline.com