AMA Health Director calls for truthful reporting to fight Mpox
By: Solomon Nartey Tetteh
The Director of Health Services for the Accra Metropolitan Assembly(AMA), Dr. Louisa Ademki Matey, has appealed to the public to be truthful and cooperative as health officials work to contain the ongoing Mpox outbreak in Ghana.
In recent times, Mpox has emerged as a growing public health concern in the country.The rising number of reported cases has sparked fear among some citizens.
According to the latest update from the Ghana Health Service, a total of 107 cases have been recorded so far, raising questions about the underlying factors driving the spread of the outbreak.
Speaking on Zed Wellness Link, Dr. Matey revealed that the current outbreak involves clade 2 of the Mpox virus, a strain considered less severe.
“Almost all of the affected actually are clade 2. It is the one that is not too troublesome, not too deadly,” she said.
Dr. Matey explained that there are two main clades of the Mpox virus, clade 1 and clade 2, with clade 1 known for causing more severe illness and higher mortality.
“Fortunately, in this outbreak, we are not recording so many mortalities because it’s clade 2,” she noted.
She however warned that early containment is crucial to preventing the possible emergence of the more dangerous clade.
“What we are hoping to do is get this down as soon as possible before we start recording any of the notorious ones.”
Dr. Martey noted that one of the biggest challenges health workers face is the lack of transparency from patients.
“You think you’re asking the right people the right questions, but half the time we don’t get people telling us what they should,” she stressed.
Dr. Matey emphasized the need for honesty during outbreaks, reminding the public that the consequences of individual actions can ripple through entire communities.
“When we are in an outbreak situation, remember that what happens to you is not happening to you alone. At the end of the day, it’s going to be affecting many other people,” she stressed.
Dr. Matery stated that health teams, including psychologists and other specialists, are working to build trust and educate communities about the importance of reporting symptoms and contact histories without fear.0
“It takes a lot of work to get people to understand that once you get these diseases, it stops being just about you,” she highlighted.
Dr. Matey reiterated that health authorities are continuing surveillance and public engagement as they aim to curb the spread of the Mpox virus in Ghana.
