By GDAAR Foundation
GDAAR Foundation Calls for Urgent Comprehensive Audit of Health Facilities in Senior High Schools
Afienya, Greater Accra Region, Ghana – February 23, 2024 – The GDAAR Foundation expresses deep concern over the recurring incidents of student deaths in Ghanaian Senior High Schools (SHSs). Over the past decade, beginning as far back as 2013, there has been an alarming pattern of young lives tragically cut short due to inadequate healthcare within our educational institutions.
Here’s a brief, non-exhaustive reminder of the lives lost:
- 2013: Several deaths at Kumasi Academy from suspected meningitis highlighted systemic failures.
- 2017: Additional student deaths at Kumasi Academy, Koforidua SECTECH, and Damongo SHS further underscored the problem.
- Recent Years: Sadly, the trend continues, with lives lost in schools across the country. The recent passing of a student at Kalpohin SHS serves as a painful reminder.
The GDAAR Foundation believes that even one student death is one too many. We call upon the Ghana Education Service (GES) to take immediate and decisive action to address this critical issue.
Proposal: Comprehensive Audit
We urge the GES to initiate a comprehensive audit of health facilities in all Senior High Schools across the nation. This audit should include the following key areas:
- Infrastructure: Assess the adequacy of infirmaries, sick bays, isolation units, and other essential healthcare structures.
- Equipment and Supplies: Ensure schools have essential medical equipment, medications, and first-aid supplies.
- Personnel: Evaluate the availability of qualified nurses, doctors (where feasible), and support staff, as well as training in emergency procedures.
- Protocols: Examine the effectiveness of health screening protocols, emergency response systems, and communication channels with parents and healthcare providers.
Reviewing Exeat Policies on Health Grounds
The GDAAR Foundation also believes that a critical review of exeat policies (temporary leave) is necessary, particularly for health reasons. While we understand the importance of maintaining academic continuity, a student’s life and well-being must always take precedence. The current system should be reassessed to ensure that students with serious health conditions can receive the prompt and appropriate medical care they need without unnecessary delays or bureaucratic hurdles.
A Call for Collaboration
The GDAAR Foundation stands ready to collaborate with the GES, the Ministry of Health, and other stakeholders to ensure the safety and well-being of our students. We believe that by working together, we can create a healthcare system within our schools that is responsive, proactive, and capable of preventing future tragedies.
Our children deserve the opportunity to learn and thrive in a safe and healthy environment. We must act now to honor the memory of those we have lost and protect the lives of our future generations.
Contact: Joseph Bekoe,
+233206988426