Gov’t to absorb funeral expenses of KUMACA victims; gives families ¢5,000

The government has promised to pay for the funeral expenses of the four Kumasi Academy (KUMACA) students who died after they contracted the swine flu virus.

An initial sum of ¢5,000 has each been given to the families of the deceased persons.

At a meeting with parents and teachers of the school Friday, Vice president Dr Mahamudu Bawumia conveyed government’s condolences for their loss.

Related Article: Confirmed! KUMACA students died of Swine Flu

“I know you are hurting and I know you are sad but we will stand by you and I am sure it will be over soon,” he said.

Health officers have been busy for the past week after at least four KUMACA students died of what has been confirmed as Influenza Type A known as swine flu.

The tragic incident brings to 11 the number of students who have lost their lives in the school since the first case was reported in March.

Related Article: KUMACA in crisis as more students collapse

Members of Parliament (MPs) have criticized Health Minister, Kwaku Agyeman Manu for failing to stop the spread of the disease after the first death.

Minority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarak

Minority Chief Whip, Muntaka Mubarak said the death of the only female student Monday could have been avoided had the school not prioritized its 60th-anniversary over the health crisis.

But the Vice president has assured Ghanaians government is doing everything possible to stop the spread of the swine flu.

“By the grace of God the medical staff and researchers have been able to determine what the problem is and because we’ve been able to determine what the problem is we know thankfully what the treatment is,” Dr Bawumia said.

Read Full Story