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Tag: GHS

  • 2021/22 GHPL: Hearts of Oak staff and players to undergo tests today following outbreak of swine flu

    Hearts of Oak staff and players will undergo another round of tests this morning following the outbreak of severe flu in camp which prompted the intervention of the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

    This led to the postponement of their match week 30 encounter against Eleven Wonder over the weekend.

    The GHS released a statement to confirm their preliminary investigations revealed the outbreak of an H3N2 virus, a type of Swine Flu and subsequently recommended a 7-day isolation for the affected players and staff.

    “The next test is on Friday morning at 10am, and after that, depending on the results, the Ghana Health Service will advise us on the next line of action,” Communications Director of the club, Opare Add told Citi Sports.

    Before the matchday 29 game against Bibiani Gold Stars, some players of the Phobians were admitted at the hospital and were discharged ahead of the game at the Accra Sports Stadium.

    Hearts of Oak are 4th on the league table with 47 points after 29 matches played so far.

    Source: Football Ghana

     

  • Ghana spends $230m on injuries and trauma annually – GHS

    Ghana spends roughly $230 million yearly on treating injuries and trauma-related issues, according to Dr Lawrence Ofori-Boadu, interim Director of the Ghana Health Service’s Institutional Care Division.

    He revealed at the Orthopaedic Association of Ghana‘s second annual general and scientific meeting last Friday that traffic accidents were a major contributor to the injuries and trauma citizens experienced.

    According to him, the country’s trauma surgeon-to-patient ratio is concerning, with just roughly 54 orthopaedic and trauma specialists.

    “GHS can barely count the number of orthopaedic and trauma surgeons within our facilities. Statistics show that many Ghanaians suffer from trauma-related injuries and at least four people die every day to road traffic accident, with associated trauma injuries.”

    “When we see an increasing trend in the cases of injuries and trauma, we get worried about the numbers in correlation with the number of orthopaedic and trauma surgeons available and how and where we can access their services.”

    The theme for the event was dubbed: “Challenges of orthopaedic and trauma care in Ghana: the way forward”.

    Professor Richard M. K. Adanu, Rector of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, who was also present at the meeting, expressed his disappointment with the country’s lack of orthopaedic and trauma surgeons.

    He proposed that the institution establish a Faculty of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, as well as the establishment of two more training centres outside of Accra and Kumasi, to address the problem.

    Dr. Ofori-Boadu stated in his presentation that transportation-related injuries accounted for 93,379 recorded cases in 2019.

    In the following years, the number of cases reported grew, reaching 111,931 in 2020 and 125,673 in 2021.

    According to the information supplied, there were 119,613 cases of home-related or domestic injuries in 2019.

    240,543 cases were reported in 2020, with 116,073 cases reported in 2021.

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • GHS alarmed at increase in hypertension, diabetes cases in the Greater Accra Region

    The Ghana Health Service (GHS) is alarmed at the increased spate of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country, calling on the populace to be more responsible with their lifestyle choices.

    Making a case in point of Accra Metropolis in the Greater Accra Region, Acting Programme Manager of the NCDs Control Programme (NCDCP), Dr Afua Commeh, said from 2019 till date, over 29,000 cases of hypertension had been recorded within the city.

    “For Diabetes, the metropolis in 2019 recorded 4,200 cases, in 2020, 4,385, and as of end of September this year, 3,330 have been reported which means we are likely to hit 4,000 by end of year and this is just one metropolitan so you can imagine the figures nationwide,” she said, in an interview with the Ghanaian Times at a dissemination meeting on a digital tool being developed by the GHS to address the surge.

    The “NCD Digital Tool” to be piloted in the Accra Metropolitan and Ga Central Districts from November this year, would allow for data collection and information sharing on NCDs to provide early treatment and promote healthy living among persons suffering a condition.

    The medium, targeting conditions including hypertension, diabetes, asthma and cancer, would also empower members of the public to make the right health choices to avoid contracting NCDs.

    Dr Commeh said the majority of persons contracting NCDs in recent times were young people between the ages of 18 and 45 with a gradual rise in the number of children being diagnosed on one condition or the other.

    “Some of the children are born with it and others are picking them up as they grow and this is alarming. We must take our lifestyles choices more seriously now than ever and the fact that these diseases are becoming normalised is of great worry.

    “The sooner we wake up and take action on them, the better. From the home to our schools, we must watch what we eat, do physical activities, avoid alcohol and tobacco and other lifestyles that increase the risk for NCDs.”

    The Programmes Manager said the neglect of NCDs over the years was “coming back to haunt us as a nation” judging from the many people who have died from COVID-19 due to underlying conditions like hypertension and diabetes.

    “It has become necessary in that as we are all going about and chasing after COVID-19, our chronic disease also seems to be chasing after us.

    Unfortunately for us, since the pandemic took off in 2020 till date, our death toll gets worst by the day and over 90 per cent of them are as a result of these chronic diseases,” she stated.

    Dr Commeh entreated stakeholders at the meeting to be ambassadors of healthy living in their respective communities urging Ghanaians as well to frequent the hospitals for regular check-ups to pick up diseases in time and promote longevity.

    The Health Promotion Officer of Accra Metro, Andrew Abbey, urged stakeholders to help in awareness creation on NCDs.

    Responding to poor reception and attitude of some health staff during check-ups, Mr Abbey, asked individuals to report any wrong attitude by any health worker to the heads of the various health institutions, to encourage the habit of regular check-ups, among Ghanaians.

    Source: ghanaiantimes.com.gh

  • Disregard for coronavirus safety protocols major challenge – GHS

    The Ghana Health Service has bemoaned the increasing disregard for safety protocols despite the spike in coronavirus cases.

    Speaking at a press conference held on Wednesday, August 5, 2021, the Director-General said the carelessness such as the wrongful use of nose masks, hands not frequently sanitized or washed poses a challenge especially because Ghana is in the third wave.

    Aside from the improper use of nose masks, the Service called for an ‘all-hands-on-deck approach to intensify the fight against the deadly pandemic.

    “If households, service providers and institutions strictly ensure that people they admit into their spaces adhere to the safety protocols, particularly the washing of hands, proper wearing of face masks and the social distancing rule, the numbers will come down.

    “The current trajectory of cases, with low adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols, poses a significant risk of a higher third wave,” he said.

    Clearing the notion that an individual being vaccinated means exemption from contracting the virus, Dr Kuma-Aboagye said the vaccine was not a 100 per cent protective measure

    “Vaccination will not prevent you from infection, but chances that you might not fall sick are very high and you are highly likely not to die from COVID-19.

    “But a fully vaccinated person who is a carrier can transmit to more vulnerable people, which include those who have not been vaccinated, and they might be severely hit by the virus, even if they do not die,” he explained.

    He urged the public not to abandon the safety protocols as it’s the sure way to secure lives.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Deadly Indian strain recorded at KIA hasnt entered the community GHS

    The deadly Delta variants of COVID-19 recorded in Ghana have not yet entered the community, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has announced.

    Ghana has detected six Delta variants of COVID-19 so far, the GHS has confirmed.

    The variants were confirmed from samples taken from passengers at the Kotoka International Airport between April and June.

    A statement by the GHS said “all passengers who test positive at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) are put under mandatory isolation.

    “All positive samples are sent for further testing (genomic sequencing) to identify the variants. Variants sequenced from samples of positive cases at the Airport do not necessarily end up in the community.

    “As of now, the country has detected six Delta variants of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19 virus) from all samples taken between April and June, 2021 at the ports of entry. No Delta variant has been detected from samples taken from cases in the community.

    “The MOH and GHS further inform the general public that in April 2021, there was a surge in cases at the airport during which period 308 positives were identified.

    “However, Ghana has not experienced a third wave partly due to the robust surveillance system in place at the ports of entry and strict isolation of all cases detected.”

    On the issue of vaccines, the GHS noted that reports that Sputnik-V and AstraZeneca vaccines are not effective against the Delta strain of SARS-Cov-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) are untrue.

    According to Public Health England (PHE) two doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine are highly effective against hospitalisation due to the Delta variant and showed no deaths among those vaccinated.

    The data also suggest that the AstraZeneca vaccine is effective against symptomatic disease caused by the Delta variant.

    Source: 3news.com

  • GHS registers citizens for free distribution of mosquito nets

    Krachi East Health Service began the registration of households this week for its free distribution of long-lasting treated nets in the Municipality.

    Krachi East Municipal Director of Health Service , Mr Amin Abdul, said, the distribution of the Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets is done in partnership with the Ghana Malaria Control Programme as part of their efforts to reduce the incidence of malaria in communities.

    Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), he said they would be providing each household with a unique identification code, which would be used to get the treated nets.

    Mr. Abdul said the registration exercise would help health practitioners gather detailed information on each and everyone to avoid double distribution of the treated nets.

    He told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that they have been able to register over 134,000 households and hope by the close of the week, figures would rise.

    He appealed to residents in the Municipality to endeavor to register with health officials and provide accurate information to enable them receive free treated nets to fight against malaria.

    Source: GNA

  • Coronavirus: We are working to avoid a third wave – GHS

    Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, the Director-General, Ghana Health Service, says government is putting in place measures to halt a possible third outbreak of the Coronavirus disease in the country.

    He said with some countries in Europe currently experiencing a third wave of the infectious disease, coupled with the rising cases in India and Brazil, it was imperative for government to be alert, especially at the airport, to avoid being taken by surprise.

    Dr Kuma-Aboagye, speaking during the Minister’s media update in Accra, said the country’s COVID-19 numbers at the airport had reduced averaging 90 per week.

    However, he said that did not mean the country was out of the woods, saying, “We still have a significant threat, especially with the third wave in Europe and the rising cases in India and Brazil”.

    Giving an overview of the country’s cases, Dr Kuma-Aboagye said Ghana had conducted over one million tests since the start of testing.

    “We have experienced two waves and as you are aware, the second wave is bigger than the first wave.

    “We have a significant decline in our cases since mid-February and currently our active cases have dropped from 8,000 to less than 1,500.

    “In actual fact, it is about 1,314,” he added.

    The GHS Boss said out of the tests conducted, 91,709 cases were positive, representing 8.8 percent positivity rate.

    He said more than 89,000 people were discharged while 771 people had succumbed to the disease.

    Dr Kuma-Aboagye further disclosed that 46 new cases were recorded as of 15th of April, 2021 with Greater Accra Region recording more than half of them.

    “Greater Accra still remains the epicentre because more than half of these were recorded in Accra and currently all 16 regions had recorded a case and 253 districts had reported a case, which means we still have seven districts or so that had never experienced a covid case across the country,” Dr Kuma-Aboagye stated.

    He said a total of 1,435 cases had so far been recorded from the travellers arriving at the Kotoka International Airport since it re-opened in September last year.

    On the vaccines, he said, Ghana had received 966,850 vaccines with more than 800,000 people vaccinated since vaccination started on March 2, this year.

    Source: GNA

  • Ghana has not recorded any Ebola case – GHS

    The Ghana Health Service has issued a disclaimer on the news that the country has recorded cases of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), allaying the fears of many.

    In a tweet on its official Twitter handle, the GHS stated that Ghana has not recorded any case of the EVD as has been recorded by some news outlets.

    Earlier, it had issued a notice to all regional directors of health and chief executive officers of the various teaching hospitals about the re-emergence of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in West Africa.

    This followed the news of seven cases of the viral disease confirmed in West African country, Guinea, on Sunday, February 14. Three of the cases recorded there were reported to have died.

    As a result, the Director-General of the Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, charged all health facilities “to initiate preparedness and response plans for EVD”.

    But, this information seemed to have been misintepreted to mean that Ghana had also recorded a case of the EVD.

    To reassure the public, the GHS stated in the tweet that, “Ghana has not recorded any case of Ebola Virus DIsease (EVD). However, the country is on high alert after Guinea, a West African neighbor, confirmed seven cases of EVD.”

    They have therefore asked all to disregard the false information.

    “Disregard the news circulating that Ghana has confirmed a case,” it concluded.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • 616 new cases of coronavirus recorded – GHS

    Ghana has recorded 616 new cases of coronavirus bringing total caseload as of January 27 to 62,751. Active cases have now hit 3,813.

    The current stats represents a consistent rise in cases over the last week.

    Greater Accra Region with 36,205 accounts for over 50% of all cases. Ashanti, Western, Eastern and Central regions are the other regions with over 2,000 total cases.

    Ashanti Region has 11,827 cases, Western Region with 3,380 while Eastern and Central Regions have 2,735 and 2,228 respectively.

    A breakdown of coronavirus statistics according to the Disease Surveillance Department of the Ghana Health Service, GHS, are as follows:

    Caseload = 62,751

    Active cases = 3,813

    New cases =616

    Recoveries = 58,561

    Deaths = 377

    Ghana recently recorded infection in all regions of the country. The GHS further confirmed that three children had been infected since the reopening of schools.

    Minister of Information Designate, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, hinted that with a steady increase of new cases, the government was going to consider tighter restrictions including a possible lockdown to curb the spread.

    Cumulative Cases per Region Descending order

    Greater Accra Region – 36,205

    Ashanti Region – 11,827

    Western Region – 3,380

    Eastern Region – 2,735

    Central Region – 2,228

    Volta Region – 886

    Bono East Region – 802

    Western North Region – 695

    Bono Region – 654

    Northern Region – 635

    Upper East Region – 577

    Ahafo Region – 539

    Oti Region – 246

    Upper West Region – 171

    Savannah Region – 63

    North East Region – 25

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • GHS to begin Phase B of yellow fever vaccination exercise

    The Ghana Health Service (GHS) is to begin Phase B of yellow fever Preventive Mass Vaccination Campaign (PMVC) to immunise the public against the disease in two districts of the Volta Region.

    The one-week exercise is slated to start from November 12 to 18, 2020 in Akatsi North and Agotime-Ziope and would be carried out in 85 districts in 14 regions throughout the country.

    Mr Anthony Mawuli Pani, Volta Regional Coordinator, Expanded Programme of Immunisation (EPI) disclosing this at a media briefing in Ho said 42,683 and 36,721 people were expected to be immunised in Akatsi North and Agotime-Ziope, respectively.

    He said the objective of the exercise was to increase the population immunity against the disease and to protect susceptible older age groups in selected high-risk areas.

    He said according to the World Health Organisation the vaccine was for a lifetime and would be administered to persons between 10 and 60 years, disclosing that an estimated number of 200,000 cases of yellow fever and 30,000 deaths annually worldwide had been recorded.

    Mr Pani said 85 percent of people, who suffered from the disease might be asymptomatic, while 15 percent severely affected with fatality up to 50 percent, therefore “vaccination is the main stay.”

    The Coordinator noted that the vaccination was not a specific treatment but rather to manage conditions of the disease for a better recovery.

    Mr Pani said pregnant women would not be dosed during the exercise because the vaccine could lead to a defect in the child.

    Madam Patricia Mawufemor Baku, Regional Health Promotion Officer, called on the public to avail themselves to be vaccinated and offered maximum support to the authorities undertaking the exercise to achieve the desired objective.

    She said all COVID-19 preventive protocols would be strictly observed for the safety of the public and the health staff, urging the public to continue to abide by all the necessary protocols so that “together we can end this pandemic.”

    Source: GNA

  • Non-adherence to coronavirus protocols is cause of increase in cases – GHS

    Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, on Monday attributed the increase in COVID-19 cases in the country to non-adherence to the safety protocols.

    He said the refusal to wear face masks was a major cause of the hike, coupled with the non-adherence to the testing guidelines such as self-referrals and inadequate surveillance information before testing, particularly among the walk-in testing centres and some laboratories.

    He said consequently, as at Monday, November 9, the total number of COVID-19 cases nationwide was 49,302; recovered/discharged 47,843, active cases; 1,139, critical/severe cases; 15, and deaths 320.

    Dr Kuma-Aboagye said on October 16, there were 398 active cases and 310 deaths whereas on November 3, there were 973 active cases and 320 deaths; adding that the additional deaths had occurred earlier and were updated on the national database.

    At a press briefing in Accra, he noted that from October 1 to 14, there were 432 new cases, while from October 15 to 31, there were 1,229 new cases.

    The number of active cases had increased from 469 as of October 15 to 973 on November 3.

    The Director-General said the increase in cases were largely from the central districts of Greater Accra Region, imported cases detected at the Kotoka International Airport, and the focal outbreak in the Nursing Training College in Berekum in the Bono Region with 83 cases, which had been contained.

    He said the remaining 14 regions of the country had relatively remained calm despite continued testing with no or very low cases being reported.

    Dr Kuma-Aboagye said there had not been any reported COVID-19 related deaths since the beginning of October and that there was no apparent increase in hospitalisation.

    He said a study by the GHS indicated that the proportions of people wearing masks correctly had dropped from 44.3 per cent to 10 per cent (five per cent in some settings).

    The Director-General indicated that those not wearing masks at all had increased from 18 per cent to 72 per cent over the five surveys (August October); stating that there had been moderate improvement in proportions of people not wearing mask correctly.

    Regarding the Greater Accra Region, Dr Kuma-Aboagye said cases had surged over the last two weeks adding that from an average of 25 cases a day, the Region currently recorded an average of 101 cases a day.

    All the 29 districts within the Greater Accra Region had recorded increases in the number of cases, he said.

    Dr Kuma-Aboagye said the GHS would soon launch a special campaign to promote the wearing of face masks as part of measures to avoid a second wave of the pandemic.

    Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Minister of Information, appealed to the security agencies to ensure that people complied with the wearing of face masks as part of efforts to prevent a second wave.

    He appealed to operators of businesses in enclosed spaces to ensure full compliance with the wearing of masks.

    Concerning the situation at the Ayawaso West Municipality, Dr Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, the Director of Public Health, GHS, said 600 cases had been reported over two months.

    “This is largely due to the fact that five testing laboratories report their tests through the Ayawaso West District: Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Nyaho Medical Laboratory, MDS Lancet, CSIR Laboratory and LEDing Laboratory,” he said.

    He said less than 10 per cent of the positive cases actually resided in the District and that the remaining 90 per cent of cases were walk-ins to the various laboratories from other districts and regions.

    Source: GNA

  • GHS boss refutes claims Upper West Regional Hospital is not fully functional

    The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye has refuted claims that the Upper West Regional Hospital is not fully functional.

    This is after the Paramount Chief of the Wa Traditional Area, Naa Fuseini Pelpuo IV last month said the Wa hospital was not operating to its full capacity due to lack of resources.

    The chief made an appeal for the hospital to be given priority by the government when the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia visited the region as part of his ten-day tour of the five regions of the North.

    But speaking to Citi News, the Director of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, said the hospital was functioning despite the lack of essential equipment.

    “The hospital is fully functional with the exception of the radiological department which is not fully functioning because of the CT scan. It is not easy to come by, but fortunately, we have a team who is going to train some personnel in the next two weeks so they can get the CT scans working again.”

    “Every other department is working. Currently, the hospital has 14 doctors with three specialists,” he added.

    The 160-bed capacity Upper West Regional Hospital was opened to the public on Thursday, January 9, 2020, after several months of delay.

    The US$ 52 million facilities, although commissioned by President Akufo-Addo at an elaborate ceremony in August 2019, had not been operational till January 2020.

    Source: myjoyonline

  • Coronavirus: How students who have completed WASSCE will return home

    The Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Ghana Health Service (GHS) have jointly issued a guideline for the exit of students who have just completed the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and are returning home Friday, September 4, 2020 after a successful examination.

    Under the guidelines, any school where no positive case of COVID-19 has been recorded, the students can vacate and go home.

    Additionally, any school that recorded a positive case but has not reported any new positive case within the last two weeks, the students can vacate and go home, reports Graphic Online’s Severious Kale Dery on the Education Desk.

    This is contained in a statement jointly signed by the Director-General of the GES, Prof Kwasi Opoku-Amankwa and the Director-General of the GES Dr Patrick Kuma Aboagye and issued in Accra Thursday, September 3, 2020.

    After months of uncertainty and apprehension arising out of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, Senior high schools (SHSs) reopened to final-year students on June 22 for them to undergo six weeks of academic work up to July 31, 2020.

    That enabled them to prepare to write their final examination between August 3 and September 4, this year.

    The 2020 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) finally kicked off for Ghanaian candidates in July.

    In all, 375,737 candidates from 976 schools took part in the examination at 796 centres throughout the country.

    Out of the figure, about 188,163 were females, while the remaining 187,573 were males.

    more to follow…

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • WASSCE: Schools that didn’t experience any coronavirus spikes can go on recess – GHS

    The Ghana Health Service has said Senior High Schools (SHS) that did not experience any COVID-19 related cases can go on recess.

    This comes after the government granted permission to allow for final year SHS students to undertake their West African Senior School Certificate (WASSCE) examinations.

    According to the Director-General of the GHS, Dr. Patrick Kuma Aboagye, any school that has not reported a positive case of COVID-19 in the last two weeks prior to their initial vacation date can also go on recess.

    Addressing journalists at a press briefing in Accra on September 3, the Director-General said, “However if there are any schools that have recorded any positive cases of COVID-19, they will be made to undergo some assessment of contacts with them having their exit from school a bit delayed.”

    Dr. Kuma Aboagye expressed delight over the low spike in cases of COVID-19 in most senior high schools amid the resumption for examination.

    He also urged all students to adhere to the safety protocols as they return back home.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Ghanas coronavirus active cases drop significantly GHS

    The number of COVID-19 active cases in Ghana has dropped significantly, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has announced.

    According to the GHS, Ghana currently has 2,134 active cases from a total of 41,404 infections recorded nationwide with 192 new cases recorded.

    The total number of recoveries/discharges stands at 39,055 with the death toll still at 215.

    Six persons however are in critical condition, 20 remain severe while four have been put on ventilators.

    “A total of 192 new cases were reported on August 8, 2020. These are samples that were taken from the period 29 July to 7 August 2020… but reported from the lab on August 8,” the GHS noted.

    Source: 3 News

  • GHS declares Carlos Ahenkorah coronavirus negative

    The Ghana Health Service has declared former deputy Trade minister and MP for Tema East Carlos Ahenkorah COVID-19 negative.

    Mr Ahenkorah recently resigned as a deputy minister after he was accused of breaching the COVID-19 protocols.

    In a letter addressed to the Tema East MP on Friday, July 9, 2020, and signed by the director-general of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye disclosed that Mr. Ahenkorah has obtained two consecutive negative laboratory test results for COVID-19.

    “For this reason, you are deemed to have recovered from COVID-19 infection and so can return to work,” the letter noted.

    The GHS has however cautioned the former deputy minister to continue to observe the precautionary measures since he is not immune from contracting the virus.

    “These include the use of a face mask at all times especially in public places, frequent washing of hands with soap under running water and covering of mouth and nose with tissue paper when coughing or sneezing and disposing of the used tissue properly”.

    Attached is a copy of the letter from the GHS boss to Carlos Ahenkorah.

    NOTIFICATION OF RECOVERY FROM COVID 19

    The Ghana Health Service wishes to inform you that you have obtained two consecutive negative laboratory test results for COVID 19.

    For this reason, you are deemed to have recovered from COVID 19) infection, and so can return to work. This however does not mean you are immune from contracting the virus henceforth.

    As a result, you are advised to continue to observe the under-listed precautionary measures:

    – use of a face mask at all times, especially in public places,

    – frequent washing of hands with soap under running water,

    – covering your mouth and nose with tissue paper when coughing or sneezing and disposing off the used tissue properly,

    – maintaining social and physical distancing with other people (minimum of 2 meters)

    – drinking enough water. Whilst grateful for your co-operation thus far, we are looking forward to its continuation as we strive to ensure your safety and that of other Ghanaians.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Dont panic, Accra Girls coronavirus cases under control – GES, GHS to parents

    The Ghana Education Service has through a joint statement with the Ghana Health Service confirmed that six students, a teacher, and a spouse have tested positive for coronavirus in Accra Girls SHS.

    The affected persons, the statement assured have been separated from non-contacts.

    Also, testing of all contacts has commenced, the statement added.

    It further disclosed parents of all students who have tested positive would be allowed to visit their wards.

    Parents were also assured everything was being done to ensure the safety of students.

    Read the full statement below:

     

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • COVID-19 testing is free — GHS

    The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has cautioned the public to be careful about imposters who are extorting money from people in the name of contact tracing.

    It said the state was not charging any contact of COVID-19-infected persons money to have his or her sample taken and tested.

    The caution comes on the back of incidents reported to the Daily Graphic that some unscrupulous persons were calling people to demand mobile money transfers from those people for them to undergo testing to know their COVID-19 status.

    Speaking to the Daily Graphic in Accra yesterday, the Head of the Public Relations Unit at the GHS, Mr Jacob Andoh, said: “We don’t take any money from anybody to take his or her sample; we have not sent any contact tracers to communities to take money from people either.”

    He said district offices of the GHS had trained contact tracing teams that included a medical laboratory scientist to collect the needed samples at no cost to anybody.

    “If anyone comes to you with such a proposal, please ask for his or her identity card and report him or her to the nearest police station. The sample taking and testing are at no cost to anyone,” he added.

    Modus operandi

    The alleged imposters call people on their mobile phones and tell them that they had been pencilled in for contact tracing and testing but the kit for the exercise had run out and demand between GH¢40 and GH¢65, through mobile money transfer, for the kit.

    The reports were received from people residing at Gbawe, Kasoa, Adenta and Ashaiman, where some contact tracing exercises had been going on.

    The GHS said it was going to investigate the matter and bring perpetrators to book.

    National update

    The GHS, through its official website, has indicated that since the first case of COVID-19 was recorded on March 12, 2020, a total of 2,032 contacts traced had tested positive, out of the total national confirmed cases of 3,091, as of the morning of May 8, 2020.

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • Coronavirus: Protect relatives – GHS

    Dr Badu Sarkodie, the Director of Public Health, Ghana Health Service has advised the public to protect their relatives at home and everyone they encounter by distancing themselves.

    He said as many people were not tested, some people could have the virus without showing symptoms, therefore, it was important that people especially those who move regularly outside the house, stayed away from their relatives at home.

    “Distance yourselves so that if you have the virus, you do not go to pass it on to your mother, father, or grandmother at home,” he stated.

    Dr Sarkodie gave the advice at a Press Briefing organised by the Information Ministry in Accra to update journalists and the public on the current state of the COVID-19 in Ghana and measures put in place to manage it.

    Keep used face masks away from others especially from the reach of children, Dr Sarkodie stated.

    Professor William Kwabena Ampofo, Head of the Virology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, said one measure that slowed down the rate at which the virus was spreading in Ghana was the enhanced contact tracing.

    He explained that it included; many people who did not show any symptoms, adding that, those who tested positive were isolated at the initial stage. Another measure was the usage of data collected on the date samples and tested for the COVID-19 and date patients started having symptoms.

    Prof. Amofo said Ghana was on top and was likely to have a decline in its number of confirmed cases if her citizens observed the social distancing protocol as well as the individual preventive measures like wearing of face masks, hand washing, and the coughing and sneezing etiquette.

    He said the country was not having an overstretched or overwhelmed health system, explaining that, that was only determined by the number of people who tested positive, those who visited the hospital and the number of deaths recorded.

    Source: GNA

  • Ghana at the peak of coronavirus crisis- Ghana Health Service

    Ghana is at the peak of its coronavirus crisis.

    This is according to the Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Badu Sarkodie.

    At a press briefing at the Ministry of Information in Accra today [Tuesday, May 5, 2020], Mr Sarkodie in answering a question as to where Ghana is on the bell curve, he said, “So to answer directly to the question, we are at the peak of the curve.”

    More to follow….

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • Coronavirus not equivalent to death sentence GHS

    The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Patrick Aboagye, has stated that contracting the COVID-19 virus is not equivalent to a death sentence.

    Addressing a press conference Tuesday, Dr Aboagye urged positive patients to make themselves available for containment and treatment adding that people must stop stigmatising against COVID-19 patients.

    “What we want to say is that being COVID-19 positive is not equivalent to death as people perceive and so let us try and work against stigma and encourage people to be tested and avail themselves to be admitted and contained.”

    Dr Aboagye added that “measures such as hand-hygiene, social and physical distancing, wearing of a mask and proper sanitation, even without the current restrictions, must be institutionalized and maintained if we are going to contain this disease.

    Meanwhile, the Health Minister, Kwaku Agyemang Manu, has revealed that residents of Bukom and Jamestown are preventing contact tracers who attempt to take samples for Coronavirus.

    Mr Agyemang Manu pleaded with residents to allow contact tracers into their houses and do their work so we can defeat the marauding virus that has already killed 18 people in Ghana and over 250, 000 people globally.

    “People are preventing contact tracers from entering their homes to do their work. We hear residents in Jamestown and Bukom are sacking them, please allow the contact tracers to do their work,” Mr Agyemang Manu said.

    Source: Starr FM

  • Observe malaria prevention protocols GHS

    Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, has called on the public to take charge of their health and that of their families by observing the precautionary protocols of malaria just as they do for COVID-19.

    With Ghana recording 54 malaria deaths in the first quarter, Dr. Aboagye said it was important people observed the malaria prevention protocols by sleeping under an insecticide-treated net and test and confirm the incidence of malaria before treatment.

    Dr Aboagye said pregnant women were to take all recommended doses of Sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (SP) to keep themselves and unborn babies safe from malaria and also comply with malaria treatment as prescribed.

    This was contained in a statement by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in commemoration of the 2020 World Malaria Day.

    The theme: “Zero Malaria Starts with Me”, is a movement dedicated to driving action and making change.

    The 2020, World Malaria Day highlights, recognizes and revitalizes the involvement of high burden countries in Africa, Ghana inclusive, which collectively account for approximately 70 per cent of the global malaria burden.

    World Malaria Day (WMD) is commemorated every year on 25th April to recognize global efforts to control malaria. Globally, 3.3 billion people in 106 countries are at risk of malaria.

    Since 2008, this day has been commemorated with emphasis on various themes assigned by the Roll Back Malaria Partnership to End Malaria (RBM) & The World Health Organization (WHO).

    Cases

    Ghana between January and March, 2020, has recorded a total of 1,001,070 malaria cases in the country more than half of the 2,346,677 suspected cases tested, the GHS stated.

    Dr Kuma-Aboagye said out of the 1,001,070 malaria cases, 21,201 were children under five years and 28,764 pregnant women.

    Furthermore, 42 per cent of the 58,775 admissions due to malaria were among children under five years while 16 of the total number of deaths for the period occurred among children under five years.

    “With the involvement and commitment of political decision-makers, the private sector, civil society, the academic community and the public, World Malaria Day 2020 rejuvenates malaria control and elimination efforts across the globe,” it said.

    The statement said the “Zero Malaria Starts with Me” was officially launched in Ghana last year by the First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akuffo Addo.

    “In Ghana, we are working to build political will, ensure efficient use of existing resources, increase private sector support and boost media engagement in order to kick start the decade that will end malaria in Africa, ” it said.

    Ghana, over the years has made considerable gains in the fight against malaria. Using the targets set in the National Strategic Plan (2014-2020) of reducing morbidity and mortality by 75 per cent by 2020 with 2012 as baseline.

    The country by this has made some notable achievements by reducing malaria related deaths at all ages, from 88 per cent of 2,799 in 2012 to 333 by end of 2019.

    “In 2012, the country recorded eight malaria deaths every day but this was reduced to one malaria death every day in 2019,” it added.

    The statement said between 2012 and 2019, malaria related admissions (all ages), reduced by 8 per cent, Malaria parasite prevalence rate in children under five years reduced from 21 out of 100 children being positive in 2016 to 14 children out of 100 being positive in 2019 reduced. This represents a 32 per cent reduction in malaria prevalence between 2016 and 2019.

    “Since 2012, the proportion of Out Patients Department (OPD) malaria cases, tested by microscopy has steadily increased to 40 out of 100 suspected cases being tested in 2012, to 94 out of 100 suspected cases being tested in 2019”.

    “So almost every suspected case seen at the health facilities are tested to confirm if it is malaria before being treated,” it said.

    The statement said millions of Ghanaians have been reached with effective life-saving tools such as long lasting insecticide treated nets, indoor residual spraying and preventive antimalarials.

    It said working together with funding and implementing partners, civil society organizations and communities has led to increased access to malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

    It said in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is possible to lose sight of the deadly malaria disease and the gains made over the years both individually and collectively to protect ourselves and risk reversing hard-won progress in the malaria fight.

    However, it is equally important to sustain the efforts made by the Ghana Health Service and its partners to advance efforts made to prevent, detect and treat malaria.

     

    Source: Daily Guide Network

  • Upper West Nurses and Midwives want reassigned Health Director to handover immediately

    The Upper West Regional chapter of the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association, wants the reassigned Health Director for the region to handover immediately.

    Dr Osei Kuffour Afreh was appointed to a different post effective May 11, but members of the Association say they want him out of his office before that date.

    In a statement copied to JoyNews, the health workers who accuse Dr Afreh of presiding over an ailing health system said, the call is important because “his further dragging of the process will worsen the situation as he may not be able to focus on giving instructions to his subordinates as we are beginning to see in some places.

    “Members of the GRNMA constitute up to 70% of the total workforce in the health sector, therefore, when a sector gets bad, our members bear the brunt the most.”

    The Association adds that if by Monday April 27, 2020 Dr Afreh fails to initiate steps to handover, all Nurses and Midwives in the region will “wear red and to work as a first step to drum home this crucial call.”

     

    Source: myjoyonline 

  • Covid-19 Trust Fund generates ¢34m from donations, buys ambulance for Ghana Health Service

    Chairperson of the Covid-19 National Trust Fund Board of Trustees, Sophia Akuffo says the Fund has so far received an amount of ¢34 million in donations.

    According to her, these donations were received from corporate and private bodies towards the fight against the coronavirus.

    She made this disclosure when the Fund donated an ambulance and some medical supplies to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and Covid-19 Care Team to be used by health workers across the country.

    Addressing a gathering at the Ga East Municipal Assembly, the retired Chief Justice assured donors and the public that monies donated towards the fight will be used judiciously in a transparent manner.

    “Today marks two weeks since the board was sworn into office by the President and the board is overwhelmed by the numerous contributions made to the Trust Fund.

    “The board is committed to its mandate and will ensure the transparent use of monies and every resource received for specific purposes. Today, Ghana Health Service is benefiting first from the fund.

    “The items include various sanitary and health appliances needed to facilitate the care of persons affected by the virus.

    “We expect that the items received will be allocated speedily to institutions engaged in the combat of the disease. As we accumulate more gifts in kind, we will make them available.

    “From time to time, the monies that we have received will be used to purchase relevant items and things brought to our attention by the Ghana Health Service and the Ministry of Health.”

    Receiving the items on behalf of the facility, Head of the Covid-19 Management Team, Dr. Ali Samba commended the fund for its timely donation.

    “We are very grateful for this kind gesture. We know about Covid-19 and because it is an infectious disease, the consumables move so fast.

    “No matter how many items you have, you still need more and as the President said, everybody must be part of the effort to defeat the disease; both public and private institutions.

    “This is the biggest treatment centre and we are very excited about the ambulance because its arrival is timely,” he said.

     

     

  • Coronavirus: There are no ‘false positive’ cases – Ghana Health Service

    Ghana has recorded 1042 positive cases of COVID-19 and 99 recovery cases. More than 60,000 people whose samples were collected through contact tracing and other enhanced testing approaches have tested negative for the virus.

    However, rumormongers have cast doubts over the number of positive cases, saying the samples of some of the people who have tested positive might not be the actual case. The claim is that there might be “false positve” cases.

    Addressing the issue, the Director General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye debunked the claims that there may be persons mistakenly testing positive for Coronavirus in the country.

    Although admitting the possibility of “false” positive cases when conducting a test, Dr. Patrick Kuma Aboagye explained that the Health Service uses the global Polymerise Chain Reaction (PCR) test to check for the presence of the virus in the samples.

    The PCR test is a method used to detect viral genetic material called RNA or antigen to tell whether or not someone has the virus. This testing technique is used globally to check the presence of COVID-19.

    The GHS Director General wants Ghanaians to know that the research centers in charge of testing samples for the virus are using this standard method and there is no way any result could be faulty.

    “It detects the virus to locate where the virus is. What they are doing is very specific for COVID-19. So, if you use some rapid test to check your antibody meaning your body producing something when you become exposed, that is what can give you false positive. But for what we’re doing, I can assure that, short of maybe a missing report; I won’t say false positive is a problem’,’ he told host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM’s ‘Kokrokoo’ program.

     

    Source: peacefmonline.com

  • Health experts dispatched to Upper West Region as Meningitis deaths hit 40

    The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has dispatched a team of experts to the Upper West Region to help fight the increasing number of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) cases in the area.

    This follows a rise in the number of CSM cases from 214 to 258.

    The number of deaths has also increased from 37 to 40.

    Upper West Regional Minister, Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih who disclosed these in an interview with Citi News said one of the experts arrived from Accra today, Thursday while two others are expected in the region on Friday.

    “With regards to CSM, there are 258 confirmed cases with 40 deaths. As I have always indicated, we have enough medication to administer to patients. So, what we have to continue doing is to educate people to report early to the health facilities. We have realized that this is the major cause of the deaths. They report late when all hope is lost. But, if they report early, the situation can be managed.”

    “The pleasant thing is that having reported the issue to the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service and the Minister of Health, they have sent an expert to come to the Upper West Region to assess the CSM situation in the Region. I am also reliably informed by the Director-General that, two other experts will be coming so that together we will study the situation and recommend immediate measures that we could implement to bring the issue to an end,” he noted.

    Last week, the GHS commenced an audit of the CSM related deaths in the Upper West Region.

    The outcome of the audit is to enable the Ghana Health Service to review treatment protocols on the endemic to prevent the recurrence of the high incidence of deaths in the region.

    The Regional Health Directorate has cited the Nadowli Kaleo district and the Nandom municipality as the hardest-hit areas.

    Meningitis can lead to serious long-term consequences such as deafness, epilepsy, hydrocephalus, or cognitive deficits, especially if not treated quickly.

    In 2015, meningitis occurred in about 8.7 million people worldwide which resulted in 379,000 deaths.

    Residents failing to adhere to safety measures 

    The Upper West Regional Director of health services, Dr. Osei Kuffuor Afreh has also expressed worry over the failure of most residents in the Upper West Region to adhere to safety protocols to help reduce meningitis in the area.

    “When we mention social distancing, it should also work for meningitis, but unfortunately from the field visits that we have conducted, we realised that people are not adhering to social distancing. People are still gathering at night, people are still grouping to do their normal things. So, the only disadvantage we have is that, we have not been able to quarantine anybody for meningitis.”

    Pay attention to Meningitis outbreak in Upper West Region Parliament directs Health Ministry

    The Ministry of Health has been asked to pay attention to the growing number of cases of Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM) in the Upper West Region.

    Presenting a statement in Parliament, to rally support for enhanced action, the Wa Central Legislator, Rashid Pelpuo called for the immediate application of known remedies to halt the havoc it is causing in that part of the country.

    “Currently there is an infectious disease in the Wa Central Constituency as well as in the Upper West Region as a whole. I wish to call on the Ministry of Health and the government to act with dispatch in providing immediately and adequately the essential grants needed, equipment and appropriate personnel to tackle this thriving danger. This is a crucial time and especially because CSM is a very infectious disease but may be grossed over by the authorities and the people themselves given the present situation we find ourselves,” he espoused.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Health Service orders staff to cease media interviews relating to coronavirus

    The Eastern Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service has directed health personnel to desist from engaging the media on the Covid-19 pandemic other than education.

    In a letter signed by the Regional Health Director, Dr Alberta Biritwum-Nyarko and addressed to heads of all health facilities in the region as well as directors of health in the Municipal and District Assemblies, she warned that any unauthorised staff who will speak to the media will have him or herself to blame.

    Describing the act as unacceptable, Mrs Biritwum-Nyako said the pandemic is a serious matter and must not be treated lightly.

    “The recent spate of the media engagements that have set our teeth on edge are one too many and must stop with immediate effect,” she warned.

    The Easter Region so far has recorded  32 coronavirus cases out of the total 566 cases recorded in the country.

    Read the letter issued to all health facilities in the region below:

     

    Source: Ama Cromwell  

     

     

  • COVID-19: 6,000 samples taken for testing throughout the country – GHS

    The Ghana Health Service (GHS) says it has as of yesterday, April 2 taken 6,000 samples across the country to be tested as part of a contact tracing and enhanced testing exercise.

    According to the Director-General of the GHS, Dr. Patrick Aboagye, some 300 teams are carrying out a contract tracing and enhanced testing exercise to identify persons who may have come into contact with a Coronavirus infected person.

    “As at 6pm yesterday, over 6,000 samples had been taken for testing throughout the country and testing is still ongoing. We’re testing all people who have been identified through contact-tracing,” Patrick Aboagye disclosed this in a press briefing on Friday, April 3.

    On April 2, 2020, Ghana recorded 9 new cases of coronavirus – shooting the number of cases from 195 to 204.

     

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • All Ghana Health Service staff on study leave recalled for Coronavirus ‘fight’

    The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has recalled all of its staff on study leave to help with the fight against the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which has claimed three lives in the last two weeks with a total of 136 people testing positive in Ghana as of Friday morning.

    In a letter dated March 26, 2020 and signed by the Director-General, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, the GHS said the recall was following the closure of all training institutions in Ghana and the increase in the workload at various health facilities across the country.

     

    “As you are aware, all training institutions in the country have been closed down following the directives from the president… due to the covid-19 pandemic.”

    “The number of recorded and combined cases in the country keep increasing by the day. This has resulted in increased workloads in the various facilities. There is therefore the urgent need for all staff to be at post in order to support in the management of affected persons,” the letter addressed to all regional directors of health and divisional directors said.

    The letter, a copy of which Graphic Online has seen added: “As a consequence of the above, all staff on approved study leave across all regions are therefore recalled from their leave with immediate effect.”

     

    “You are entreated to ensure that the content of this letter is strictly complied with,” it added.

     

    Source: Graphic.com.gh 

  • Government allocates 545 beds to health facilities

    The Ghana Health Service has indicated that some 545 beds have been allocated to various health facilities in the country towards the fight against coronavirus.

    Dr Patrick Aboagye, an official of the Ghana Health Service, made this known at a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, March 24, 2020.

    According to him, GHS has advised frontline staff on how to deal with O.P.D.

    He said some 10,000 PPEs have been procured.

    Also, he said Goggles, nose mask and gloves have distributed to frontline staff.

    According to him, medical staff in study leave have been recalled.

    He said doctors awaiting financial clearance and retirees have also been called to support the fight.

     

    Source: dailyguidenetwork.com

  • Six Coronavirus patients came into contact with about 350 people GHS

    The government has so far traced 350 people who came into contact with the six Coronavirus patients in the country.

    The contact-tracing process is still ongoing to identify more contacts.

    This was captured on the website set aside to update Ghanaians on the virus.

    According to the Ministry of Health, it is following up on the contacts as part of efforts to stop the spread of the virus in the country.

    “A total of six cases have been confirmed so far with no local transmission. 350 contacts have been identified for these cases. Follow up for these contacts have commenced,” the Health Ministry stated on the website.

    As at noon on Sunday, March 15, 2020, about 180 contacts had been traced with about 130 contacted.

    Persons contacted are encouraged to self-isolate and continuously monitor symptoms before tests are conducted.

    The Coronavirus patient who tested positive in the Ashanti Region had come into contact with at least 30 people.

    Dr. Emmanuel Tinkorang, the Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services at a press briefing on Monday said all such people are being closely monitored by health professionals to determine whether they have been infected in the next 14 days.

    Journalist ordered to self-quarantine

    Meanwhile, a journalist volunteering with the state broadcaster, GBC, has been ordered to self-quarantine after it was determined that he had come into contact with a COVID-19 Patient.

    He allegedly had contact with the Norwegian Ambassador who has been identified as one of the COVID-19.

    The Health Ministry is yet to test the student for Coronavirus as he has not shown any symptoms.

    But the journalist said he was contacted on 12th and 13th March by the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service respectively.

     

    Source: citinewsroom 

  • Coronavirus: Govt to issue travel advice by close of day – Oppong Nkrumah

    The government of Ghana will by the close of today, March 13 issue travel advice to Ghanaians after two cases of coronavirus have been confirmed. According to the Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the travel advice will be for both Ghanaians and persons already with visas and permit to come into the country from the epic centers of the virus.

    “Before mid-day today after this morning’s meetings some travel advice will be issued in connection with travel by even Ghanaians and persons with already visa and permit into the jurisdiction from the epic centers,” he said in an interview with Citi FM.

    He also disclosed that the two persons who tested positive for coronavirus in Ghana have been in the country for about a week.

    “One is a Ghanaian and the other is a foreigner. The Ghanaian is based abroad and came to visit. The foreigner has the permit to reside in the jurisdiction. We are informed that they have been in town for about a week.”

    Ghanaians in state of ‘panic’ as the first two cases of coronavirus is confirmed

    The Ministry of Health has announced that two cases of coronavirus infection (COVID-19) have been confirmed in Ghana.

    The cases, according to the Health Minister, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, were confirmed on Thursday, March 12, 2020.

    Mr Agyeman-Manu explained that laboratory results from the two cases were received at the same time from the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR).

    Both individuals involved in the case returned to Ghana, one from Norway and the other from Turkey signifying that they were imported cases of COVID-19 into Ghana.

    The Minister said both patients are being kept in isolation and processes have been initiated for contact tracing.

    Ghanaians on social media have expressed fear, some have chastised the government for not doing much to prevent the virus from entering Ghana

     

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • GES, GHS meet to prevent spread of coronavirus in schools

    The Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Ghana Health Service (GHS) have met Friday, following the reported cases of the novel coronavirus in the country.

    The aim of the joint meeting was to deliberate on and decide measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus in schools

    Some issues discussed in the joint meeting were the finalisation of the content on education material, sensitisation of students and staff and familiarisation of staff with emergency numbers to report suspected cases among students.

    The Director Generals of both the GHS and GES, Program Officer of WASH, GES, Heads of Public Relations of both bodies and other executives were present at the event.

    Both Director Generals have agreed to issues a joint statement soon.

    However,  a more detailed plan of action is yet to be rolled out.

     

    Source: myjoyonline 

  • GHS reacts to media reports on suspected COVID-19 case at Korle-Bu

    The Ghana Health Service (GHS) says it is uncomfortable with the alarming manner in which some media outlets reported Thursday’s suspected case of Coronavirus (COVID-19) at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH).

    Reports that doctors at the nation’s premier hospital were in a state of fear and panic, it said, only put the country in a bad state and undermined the national efforts at preventing an outbreak and preventing its spread.

    Dr Franklin Asiedu- Bekoe, Head of Disease Surveillance Department at the GHS, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview, in Accra, on Friday that the Service would investigate to find out who was behind such sensational reports.

    “The KBTH has so far recorded two incidents of suspected cases of COVID-19, both of which have come to the attention of the public in an alarming manner,” he noted.

    “We need to engage them to be able to understand them because even in smaller hospitals when suspected cases are detected, it is handed without the knowledge of the public”.

    So far, Ghana has tested 46 suspected cases and they have all proven negative.

    The recent one involved a United States-based Ghanaian woman who arrived in the country, six days ago and had reported to the Maternity Block of the KBTH for a scheduled gynaecological medical procedure.

    Commenting on the reported allegation that the emergency line dedicated to reporting cases of the virus was unresponsive, Dr Asiedu- Bekoe explained that was not the routine, therefore, it would be unprofessional for any doctor to call an emergency line to report a case.

    “The protocol is to isolate a suspected case, take samples and present it for testing and not to run away,” he stated.

    “When a doctor identifies a case of COVID-19 is his line of work, his role is to treat the patient and to a follow-up but not to run away”.

    According to the World Health Organisation, (WHO), COVID-19 belongs to the family of Coronaviruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MARS).

    Symptoms of Coronavirus include; fever, cough, and difficulty in breathing which could be fatal.

    The disease is spread through coughing and sneezing; close personal unprotected risk by touching or contact with an infected person).

    At present, various treatment options are being explored.

    Treatment is mainly symptomatic, there is no vaccine and prevention is mainly by adherence to cough and sneezing etiquette and improved personal hygiene.

     

    Source: GNA

  • We are prepared for coronavirus cases – GHS

    The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has reassured Ghanaians that it will continue to intensify preparedness activities and heighten surveillance at all points of entry to prevent any suspected case of coronavirus (COVID-19) into the country.

    The assurance comes after Nigeria, the first African country in the Sub Sahara and a neighboring country recorded its first confirmed case of the deadly disease.

    Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, the Director General of the GHS, in a statement issued in Accra and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) entreated the general public to stick to the following precautionary measures of:

    Regularly wash hands with soap under running water or if possible use hand sanitizers regularly, practice common cough/sneezing etiquette such as covering of mouth with handkerchief or tissue paper when coughing or sneezing, if you have recently arrived from any of the countries that have reported a case.

    It advise that people stayed away from crowd (self-quarantine) for at least 14 days and in cases of persistent cough or fever, contact the call centre for assistance on these lines; 055 2222 004, 055 2222 005, 050 9497700, 055 8439 868.

    “Do not visit any health centre/facility on your own if you have just returned from any of the affected countries, and you are exhibiting symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty in breathing. Call the numbers above for assistance,” it said.

    The statement entreated citizens to temporary avoid non-essential visit to affected countries.

    It said, in order to streamline communications and avoid creating fear and panic, it advised the media to speak to only designated experts whose contact has been given below:

    The Director General, Ghana Health Service-Dr. Patrick Kuma-Abaoagye, the Director Public Health Dr. Badu Sarkodie, the Deputy Director, Disease Surveillance Dept. Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe and Dr Dennis Laryea, the Port Health Coordinator.

    It urged that all media enquiries should also be directed to the Public Relations Unit of the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service.

    Citizens are requested to avoid spreading messages on social media that has the potential to cause fear and panic if the source is not authenticated by the Ministry of Health/Ghana Health Service.

    It also encouraged the media to devote airtime time in educating the general public on the preventive measures they may need to adopt to avoid infection and the spread of the disease.

    “We will continue to monitor the situation globally and update the general public accordingly” it said.

    Nigeria is the 49th country to report a coronavirus case, but one of the first in Africa.

    In China, the epicentre of the deadly disease – the National Health Commission on Friday reported at least 44 new coronavirus deaths, bringing to 2,788 the number of fatalities nationwide.

    Coronavirus has killed more than 2,800 people and infected more than 83,000 worldwide.

    Source: GNA

  • Surveillance structure for coronavirus has been enhanced – Ghana Health Service

    The Ghana Health Service says the surveillance structure for the deadly coronavirus has been enhanced in the country.

    The Ghana Health Service made this known after a case was confirmed in Nigeria.

    Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosiisen on February 28, Director of Public Health at the Ghana Health Service, Dr Badu Sarkodie said the risk of the coronavirus in the country has not changed.

    He explained that the case which was recorded in Nigeria could have occurred in Ghana.

    Dr Badu Sarkodie said the most important thing now after the first case was recorded in the sub-region is for all stakeholders to play their part in making sure the virus is prevented in Ghana.

    Speaking on the measures put in place to prevent or check the spread of the virus, Dr Badu Sarkodie said the protocols to be observed at the various entry points of the country remain the same.

    But now aside the screening and the health declaration form which is supposed to be filled in Ghana will now be given to the passengers on board before arriving at the Kotoka International Airport.

    Dr Badu Sarkodie disclosed that an emergency team and a designated ambulance are in place in case the virus has been detected.

    He stated that surveillance has been enhanced to prevent the virus, also early detection, speedy investigation and confinement in case the virus is detected in Ghana.

    Nigeria confirms first case of coronavirus

    Nigeria has recorded the first case of coronavirus, health officials confirmed Thursday. The Federal Ministry of Health in a Twitter post said the case was recorded in the commercial capital, Lagos.

    It is also the first case to be confirmed in West Africa since the outbreak in China on December 31, 2019.

    A statement signed by the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, stated that an Italian citizen who works in Nigeria and returned from Milan, Italy to Lagos, Nigeria on February 25, 2020, was suspected to have contracted the disease.

    Mr Osagie said he (Italian) was confirmed by the Virology Laboratory of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, part of the Laboratory Network of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

    Source: primenewsghana.com

  • Lets avoid indiscriminate coughing in public, GHS alerts

    The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has cautioned Ghanaians against indiscriminate coughing in public, as the Service heightens surveillance to avert any possible outbreak of the coronavirus disease in the country.

    “Spitting and coughing indiscriminately in public places must be controlled to avert any outbreak and spread of the coronavirus”, says Dr. Kofi Issah, the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regional Director of the GHS.

    Speaking at the opening session of the 2019 annual review meeting of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in Sunyani, Dr. Issah implored the general public to report suspected cases of the virus to the GHS.

    He indicated that though the GHS and its partners had heightened surveillance, concerted efforts were required from all stakeholders to make the country alert, respond positively and to forestall any possible outbreak of the deadly- flu-like virus.

    Dr. Issah advised health workers to treat their patients with courtesy, saying, “Under no circumstances should the sick remain at the mercy of the health worker”.

    Mr. Joseph Mensah, the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo Regional Director of the NHIA, said the NHIS chalked great success last year and commended the staff for their efforts.

    He said plans were far advanced for four additional offices of the Scheme to be opened in the three regions, and urged the staff to intensify public education on the electronic renewal of membership.

    Mr. Mensah said the NHIA was aware of many of the challenges confronting the Scheme and assured that it would soon pay Service Providers all outstanding claims.

    Source: ghananewsagency.org

  • GHS vaccinates 579,740 children in three-day exercise

    A total of 579,740 children under five years have been vaccinated in a three-day exercise organised by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to contain the outbreak of poliomyelitis in the Bono, Ahafo and Bono East regions of the country.

    The figure exceeds the GHS target of 570,864 under-five children it was expecting to vaccinate in the three regions.

    The Deputy Bono Regional Director of Health Services in-charge of Public Health, Dr John Ekow Otoo, attributed the success to cooperation from the public, as well as the various strategies the GHS had in place.

    Polio outbreak was because of poor sanitation practices GHS

    In an interview with the Daily Graphic, Dr Otoo explained that officials of the GHS made sure to vaccinate all children who were found with their parents, be they at the market, funeral ceremony, church convention or travelling.

    He said even though the exercise took place from January 8 to 11, a mop-up exercise was further conducted on January 12 and 13 in order to make sure that no child was left out.

    Second round

    Dr Otoo said the GHS had scheduled the second round of polio vaccination for February 5 and 6.

    “In order for children to receive the full benefit from the exercise, they have to get two dosages of the polio vaccine, thus necessitating that a second round of the polio vaccination exercise be conducted.

    Man dies during 7th round of marathon sex with prostitute over GHS800 bet

    The Deputy Bono Regional Director of Health Services in-charge of Public Health, therefore, encouraged parents not to get complacent and think that their children had been vaccinated already, but instead ensure that the children were vaccinated again in the second round in order to get them fully protected against the disease.

    Background

    Poliomyelitis is a highly infectious viral disease that affects young children.

    It is transmitted from person to person mainly through the faecal-oral route. Initial symptoms of the disease include fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness in the neck and pain in the limbs.

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Eastern Regional Health Services Workers Union threatens strike action

    The Eastern Regional branch of the Health Services Workers Union (HSWU) of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has passed a resolution in support of nationwide strike action.

    They say their outstanding grievances are yet to be resolved by the Ghana Health Service.

    Read: National Service Rotation Nurses declare strike over unpaid allowances

    At an emergency meeting held in Koforidua, the members of the union dressed with red bands on their hands and head massively declared their support in favour of a strike action.

    In a resolution adopted at the meeting and read by Mohammed Abeo, the Regional Industrial Relations Officer of the Union, the union said their employers have failed to abide by the collective agreement of the union signed in 2016.

    He said their employers have refused to pay the market premium introduced for them during the implementation of the single spine pay policy.

    Mr Abeo said during the transition of some of their members onto the single spine salary structure, some of the members suffered distortions in their salaries which has not been corrected despite the many efforts made by the union.

    Read: Teachers announce end of strike, mulls over next move

    He said in 2017, some junior staff were promoted but were paid without market premium making them worse off and upon intervention by the union, the Ministry of Finance issued a letter for the market premium of the affected members to be paid with effect from March 2019 but this has not been done.

    The union claimed that many of its members suffered wrong placement and are suffering the loss of salaries.

    The union observed that due to the challenges mentioned above and discrimination in the service, the unity that had characterized the work at health institutions has broken down.

    The union demanded the correction of all the distortions in the placement of members of the union and the payment of salary arrears due the members of the union.

    Source: adomonline.com