Denu, April 3, GNA - Stroke due to hypertension was named the major killer in hospitals in the Ketu District last year, claiming 49 lives, ahead of malaria, which took 37, severe anaemia, which killed 26 and the 24 deaths from HIV/AIDS.

Pneumonia also claimed 20, heart failure, 15, while diarrhoea diseases killed seven.

Dr Andrews Ayim, Director, Ketu District Health Services, said this when addressing the closing session of a five-day workshop on Disease Surveillance under the theme: "Developing effective team work for surveillance, outbreak investigation and response" on Friday at Denu. The workshop was to build a strong surveillance system to enhance early detection and control of epidemics or outbreaks. Participants were from public and private health facilities, Environmental Health personnel, Immigration, CEPS, Education and NADMO that form the District Epidemic Management Committee.

Ketu District is the third to benefit from the workshop after Berekum, Kassena-Nankan, Asyuogyaman and Wassa West districts. It was organised by College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, with collaboration from National Surveillance Unit of the Ghana Health Services and the District Health Directorate.

Professor Edwin Afari, Lecturer, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Legon, called for early reporting of outbreaks by communities in addition to support for an improved environmental sanitation, safe drinking water and nutrition to enhance the work of health workers and the communities in disease control.

Dr Lawson Ahadzie, Head, National Surveillance Unit, Ghana Health Services, in a report, identified the need for training to upgrade the skills of village and community surveillance volunteers.

Togbui Pasaku IV, Chief of Hatsukope, chairing the function, noted that the fight against disease and death require the understanding of all to succeed.