Garu (UER) Feb.25, GNA- The acting Garu-Tempane District Director of Health Services, Dr. William Duodu, has commended health personnel for their vigilance in preventing the outbreaks of epidemics spilling over into the district.

He noted that following the cholera outbreaks in Togo and Burkina Faso, which shared boundaries with the district, personnel were able to contain the disease from spreading over into the country. Dr. Duodu was speaking at the first ever end-of-year awards ceremony of the district at Garu on Friday to honour six health personnel and 12 volunteers for their dedication and commitment. Each of the personnel received a 21" colour television sets whilst pieces of wax prints were presented to the volunteers as prizes. He said the immunisation coverage and supervised delivery of the district was one of the best in the region and country-wide in spite of limited staff strength and logistics.

Dr. Duodu said the Service has embarked on a programme to ensure the use of iodated salt and insecticide treated nets in every household and safe motherhood to reduce maternal death and malaria. He expressed appreciation to the district assembly, NGOs ands traditional rulers for their immense support to health personnel and urged them not to relent in their efforts for the personnel to deliver quality healthcare to the people. The Garu-Tempane deputy-coordinating director, Mr. Jasper Adenyo, challenged health personnel to overlook the deprived state of the district in order to remain dedicated in the discharge of their services.

He said the health centre would soon be upgraded to a district hospital status to enable the people to access healthcare delivery speedily without travelling long distances. Mr. Adenyo said the assembly was supporting the Service with staff accommodation, sponsoring of training nursing staff and the provision of other logistics to undertake programmes as a motivation to enhance health delivery.

The Tempane-Nab, Naba Francis A. Akolowini III, urged health personnel to continue to seek assistance from traditional rulers in the implementation of new health policies to allay the fears of the people.