Medical Screening of Food Vendors in the Municipality
Background
Street foods have raised significant public health concerns due to the increasing incidence of foodborne diseases documented over the past decade. The alarming rate of foodborne diseases in Ghana has prompted authorities to strengthen food safety and hygiene practices. As part of these efforts, food vendors are encouraged to undergo mandatory medical screenings conducted by certified laboratory technicians.
Screening Initiative
To address this concern, the Municipal Assembly, in collaboration with Alpha Homeopathic & Botanic Medical Clinic, organized a medical screening exercise for all food vendors within the Municipality. The exercise was closely supervised by the relevant Unit within the Assembly to ensure compliance and efficiency.
Screening Statistics
During the period under review, a total of 4,876 food and drink vendors participated in the screening exercise. The gender distribution was as follows:
• Males: 397
• Females: 4,479
Screening Results
The screening results were categorized into reactive (positive for certain medical conditions) and non-reactive (negative for the tested conditions). The breakdown is as follows:
| Screening Status | Male | Female | Total Screened |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Reactive | – | – | 4,652 |
| Reactive | – | – | 224 |
| Total | 397 | 4,479 | 4,876 |
Following the mass screening, a mop-up exercise was conducted to ensure full coverage within the Municipality.
Recommendations and Follow-up
The 224 vendors who tested reactive have been advised on the necessary medical steps to take, including treatment and follow-ups. The Municipal Assembly, in collaboration with health officials, will continue to enforce food safety regulations and promote periodic medical screenings to safeguard public health.
Conclusion
This initiative marks a significant step in ensuring that food sold to the public is handled by healthy vendors, ultimately reducing the risk of foodborne diseases within the Municipality. The Municipal Assembly remains committed to public health safety and urges all vendors to prioritize their health for the well-being of consumers.