The Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (GAMLS) has expressed concern over a recent outbreak of cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) in parts of Northern Ghana.
As frontline professionals in disease detection and management, GAMLS stressed the crucial role of laboratory testing in containing the spread of the highly infectious and potentially fatal disease.
Cerebrospinal meningitis is a severe infection that causes inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. If not diagnosed and treated promptly, it can lead to serious complications, including neurological damage and death.
In response to the outbreak, GAMLS has outlined several key measures, including strengthening disease surveillance, increasing laboratory testing, enforcing strict infection prevention protocols, and intensifying public health education.
In a statement issued on February 4, 2025, the association urged healthcare facilities to prioritize laboratory diagnostics and called on authorities to provide the necessary resources and logistics to laboratories, particularly in affected regions. It also advocated for improving microbiological laboratory capacity across the country, emphasizing that enhanced infrastructure and diagnostic capabilities would not only support the detection and response to CSM outbreaks but also help manage other emerging infectious diseases.
Reaffirming its commitment to the national response effort, GAMLS called on all stakeholders, including the government and public health institutions, to collaborate in mitigating the spread of the disease.
Given the significant public health risk posed by the outbreak, the association advised the public to stay informed, recognize early symptoms, and seek medical attention promptly. It emphasized the importance of collective efforts in protecting the health and well-being of communities across the country.