The Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (GAMLS) has expressed worry over the alarming health risks of illegal mining, also known as ‘galamsey’.
In a statement, the Association criticised the government for its inaction in addressing the issue, highlighting the severe health consequences of prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals like mercury and arsenic.
These health risks, they mentioned include vision defects, skin defects, cardiovascular challenges, liver and kidney damage, respiratory diseases, cancer, birth defects, neurological disorders, and even death.
The economic implications are equally alarming, with increasing health budgets, decreased productivity, pollution, and loss of family income.
GAMLS emphasised that the government’s inaction will further negatively impact the health sector, which is already struggling to meet the minimum 15% health budget allocation per the Abuja declaration.
According to the Association, the pollution of water sources and soil poses significant health risks to nearby communities that rely on these resources for drinking, farming, and domestic use.
The Association calls on stakeholders, particularly the government, to ban small-scale mining activities to address the health impacts of galamsey.
