BY Nadia Ntiamoah
The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has intensified health surveillance measures at the country’s entry points following the arrival of Ghanaian returnees evacuated from South Africa amid rising xenophobic tensions targeting foreign nationals.
Health officials from the Port Health Unit at the Accra International Airport on Wednesday received and screened a number of Ghanaians who voluntarily returned home after recent attacks and security concerns in parts of South Africa forced many foreign nationals to seek safety outside the country.
The exercise formed part of government’s broader emergency response measures aimed at ensuring the safety, health and wellbeing of returning citizens following the evacuation programme coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Upon arrival at the airport, health personnel conducted temperature checks on all passengers as part of routine public health screening procedures designed to detect possible illnesses and prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
Officials also established a temporary mini clinic at the airport arrival section to provide immediate medical assistance to any returnee who experienced health complications or discomfort during the long journey back to Ghana.
As part of additional preventive measures, health workers distributed nose masks and hand sanitizers to all passengers while educating them on personal hygiene, safety protocols and disease prevention practices.
Particular attention was reportedly given to vulnerable passengers including children, pregnant women and the elderly, who were advised to monitor their health closely in the coming days and immediately report to nearby health facilities should they experience any medical complications.
The Ghana Health Service explained that the exercise reflects government’s commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring that all travellers entering the country undergo the necessary health and safety procedures.
The latest intervention comes against the backdrop of renewed xenophobic tensions in South Africa, which prompted the Ghanaian government to begin evacuating citizens willing to return home after reports of intimidation and attacks against foreign African nationals.
The Mahama administration earlier announced a support package for returnees, including transportation support, psychosocial counselling and reintegration assistance to help affected citizens rebuild their lives after returning to Ghana.
