Don’t Handle Cases of Meningitis, H1N1 – Herbal Centres Warned

The Ghana Association of Medical Herbalists (GAMH), has charged private herbal centres in the country, not to handle suspected cases of Meningitis and H1N1 reported to their facilities.

According to them, there are currently no certified herbal remedies for Meningitis and H1N1 available, and further stated that suspected cases of the two conditions reported to their facility should be referred to the nearest government health facility for immediate attention without delay.

This was stated in a statement released on Wednesday, signed by the General Secretary of the Association, Anthony Mensah.

“The public should report any suspected cases of  the two conditions immediately to the nearest government health facility and should not resort to private herbal centres as the first ports of call (for these conditions) unless the private herbal Centre is the only health facility available”, the statement warned.

The H1N1 virus which broke out at Kumasi Academy Senior High School (KUMACA) recently has killed four students so far while scores of students are also being monitored of the disease.

Aside that, a death from meningitis was also recorded at the Koforidua Secondary Technical School in the Eastern Region.

The Association has therefore cautioned families and sympathizers of the deceased to be cautious at handling, laying- in- state and burial of the bodies of students and persons who unfortunately died of the diseases.

“Direct contact with fluids from the bodies could initiate infection. Protective clothing should be worn while handling the bodies. The bodies if to be laid- in- state should be done in closed caskets. Overcrowding and filing pass the bodies should be minimised or possibly avoided”, the statement read.

They also expressed sympathy to all affected persons and families.

The statement advised Dents and the general public to wash their hands regularly with soap and running water, and use hand sanitizers frequently.

“Let us all be more hygiene and health conscious especially now and going forward”, the statement read.

By: Emmanuel Yeboah Britwum/ thePublisher