Dr Benard Oko-Boyr in Smock and Dr Kwesi Djokoto in Black Political Suite in a picture with some of the journalists.
The Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Benard Oko-Boye has praised the Covid-19 management strategies of the Volta Regional Public Health Emergency Management Committee, led by the Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa.
According to the Deputy Minister, he and his boss, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu have been touring the country to appraise themselves with the Covid-19 management situation on the ground, lookout for opportunities and challenges and also interact with personnel.
He described the Regional Treatment Centres manned by the Ho Teaching Hospital as one of the best in the country and praised the seamless collaboration among the key stakeholders in the region.
He also praised the work being done at the testing Centre in the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) who have so far done over 10,000 tests.
He promised to get the testing centre some safety cabinets to increase their testing capacity.
Dr Oko-Boye said these in Ho last Tuesday when he interacted with the media after a tour of the region last Monday.
He stressed that the “management of Covid-19 is not an Accra war, but a national battle”, hence the need for constant monitoring and evaluation of the slightest activities throughout the country to ensure “Ghana is on course.”
He assured the citizens that every decision taken by the President has been based on data and science, hence the reason the country’s fatality rate is one of the lowest globally, thus 0.6. Meaning out of every 1000 we lose 6 people.
“Although we are not happy about the lives we have lost, our numbers are relatively lower because of our proactive approach,” Dr Oko-Boye noted. He explained that contrary to claims that contact tracing had stopped, the exercise was still ongoing only that volunteers are no more being used, but the staff of the Ghana Health Service, particular community health nurses and other health personnel.
This is testament in the fact that the country has done the highest number of tests in the continent, thus 290,000 tests so far.
This translates to about 9000 tests for every 1 million of Ghanaians.
“Contact tracing coupled with our high number of tests is giving as a picture which is close to reality,” he assured.
He, therefore, assured Ghanaians to rest assured and support the efforts of the President and Health professionals with adherence to the Covid-19 protocols without fail.
The Deputy Regional Director of Health Services in Charge of Public Health, Dr Kwesi Djokoto commended the Deputy Minister for the tour noting that “it is very inspiring and a morale booster for us.”
He revealed the region has recorded 346 positive cases from all 18 Districts except, Akatsi North and North Dayi.
Out of this number are 312 recoveries and six fatalities leaving 28 active cases. All six deaths were as a result of severe underlining medical conditions.
Out of the number of infections recorded the median age is 35, the oldest age is 85 while the youngest age 6 years.
Apart from Ho, there are treatment centres in Hohoe, Adidome and Battor as well.
From Fred Duodu, Ho (k.duodu@yahoo.com)