Authorities at the Kumasi Academy (KUMACA) in the Asokore Mampong Municipality of the Ashanti Region say they have adopted measures to prevent meningitis related deaths this academic.
According to authorities, part of the control measures was to decongest the dormitories to reduce overcrowding.
Authorities have also engaged the services of personnel from the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to manage the sick bay of the school.
The number of first year students admitted for boarding status is lessthan the numbers that were admitted in previous academic years.
Assistance Headmaster (academics), Ernest Wiafe in an interview with Citi News said the measures have become necessary following the deaths of four students that were caused by Meningitis early this year.
It would be recalled that four students passed away at various health facilities in the Ashanti region in March, 2017.
Students of the school demonstrated against the school authorities demanding to go home following these deaths, and almost clashed with police officers.
Over 100 parents also stormed the school that evening after some of their wards called to inform them about the incident.
Mr Wiafe maintained that “following what happened to us last academic year, part of the control measures was to try and decongest the dormitories and it has been done. So you can see that the number of first year students now in residence are lesser than what use to be the case previously. So congestion is no longer a problem and it has never being a problem in the school. Now we are working in partnership with the Ghana Health Service. As we speak we have personnel from the service manning our sick bay. If there are supposed to be any referrals, they will determine and quickly send whoever needs healthcare to KNUST hospital or to Manhyia hospital.”
He indicated that the school considered its boarding capacity and the comfort of students before requesting the number for first year students.
–
By: Hafiz Tijani/citifmonline.com/Ghana