The Ministry of Health has set up an inter-agency committee on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) to coordinate efforts to control any out break of the disease in the country.

The Ministry, which is in constant touch with the World Health Organisation, is monitoring the situation around the world and the necessary measures were being put in place for any eventuality.

A release signed by S. Owusu Agyei, Chief Director of the Ministry in Accra, asked Ghanaians not to panic but rather give the committee its fullest cooperation to facilitate its work.

The committee, which is chaired by the Chief Director of the Ministry has the deputy director general of the Ghana Health Service, Director of Public Health, head of surveillance, representatives of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, 37 Military Hospital, Ghana Immigration Service, Ministry of the Interior, Port Health of the Local Government and Rural Development and the Greater Accra Regional health directorate as members.

According to the release, a contingency plan had been drawn and responsibilities assigned to the various agencies. The Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service shall be responsible for the provision of technical information and education of the public and other agencies on the disease.

The Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, 37 Military Hospital and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital have been identified as the final referral hospitals for the management of the disease, while other health facilities shall be involved in the management of any initial suspected case of SARS.