NLA Donates GH¢100,000 to Combat Meningitis Outbreak in Upper West Region

The National Lottery Authority (NLA) has donated GH¢100,000 to assist in the ongoing efforts to combat the outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) in Ghana’s Upper West Region.

The cheque was presented by the Director General of the NLA, Mohammed Abdul Salam, to the Upper West Regional Minister, Charles Lwanga Puozuing, as part of the Authority’s corporate social responsibility initiatives.

In his address, Mohammed Abdul Salam emphasized the significance of the donation, noting that the funds were intended to provide critical support to the region’s health teams in their efforts to manage the meningitis outbreak.

“This donation of GH¢100,000 should be able to serve as a booster to the health team in the region to have a handle on this situation,” he said.

The Upper West Regional Minister, Charles Lwanga Puozuing, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the NLA and its charity arm, the Good Causes Foundation, for their timely contribution.

He explained that the donated funds would go a long way in helping with the treatment of affected individuals and ultimately saving lives.

The Minister also provided an update on the ongoing outbreak, revealing that 14 lives have already been lost to the disease, with over 70 cases diagnosed in the region.

He pointed out that the situation had been worsened by the lack of valid National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) cards for many residents, which has made it harder to access healthcare.

The donation will specifically be used for procuring antibiotics for individuals diagnosed with CSM, as well as for contact-tracing efforts to identify others who may have been exposed to the disease.

Additionally, the funds will support public education and awareness campaigns to prevent further spread of the disease in the region.

Mr. Puozuing also announced plans to establish a fund through the Upper West Regional Coordination Council, where individuals and organizations could make donations to assist in the ongoing fight against meningitis in the region.

This donation from the NLA comes as a vital step in supporting the Upper West Region’s efforts to control the meningitis outbreak and safeguard the health of its residents.