Tema-Ghana, Feb. 8, MNN – Food vendors in the Tema Metropolitan Assembly are going through mandatory health screening for certification by the Health Directorate.
The Tema Metro Assembly’s Health Directorate in collaboration with Alpha-beta Laboratory is championing the mass health screening for food vendors and handlers in the metropolis.
“The mass screening is to test the health status of food vendors and handlers of food to ensure that they do not serve as transmitting channel of communicable disease through food, drinks, and beverage.
“All food vendors, managers, cooks, waitresses, waiters, hotel owners, as well as all those who work in restaurants or hotels, chop bars, and wayside cooked food sellers among others, are mandated to undertake the health screening,” Mr. Issaka Iddrisu, a Medical Laboratory Scientist at Alpha-beta told newsmen in an interview in Tema.
He explained that the health screening was to test the blood of the vendors, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and any other diseases which is a requirement for food vendors.
Mr. Iddrisu explained that those who would be successful would be issued with a health certificate that empowers them to serve or sell food for public consumption in the Tema Metropolis.
“Those found with any of the diseases they screened for, would be referred to the hospital for further treatment and see that he or she is treated before a certificate would be issued to them,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mr. Hamza Issaka Assemblyman for Tema Padmore Electoral Area in Community One also noted that food vendors in the electoral area were fully aware of the annual exercise and have been encouraged to participate in the screening.
He urged all vendors especially, pure water sellers, chop bar owners, and hotel managers to get involved in the screening for the benefit of the customers they serve and themselves.
