The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an update on coronavirus (COVID-19) preparedness in Ghana as the number of suspected cases rose to 29 as of February 25, 2020.
As part of the country’s preparedness, persons who manifest symptoms consistent with those of COVID-19 are quickly tested, with the efforts yielding negatives so far.
In an assessment report on Ghana’s preparedness, the WHO said all the samples from the suspected cases tested at the Noguchi Memorial Institute Medical Research (NMIMR) were negative for the deadly coronavirus disease.
“All the 21 suspected cases have tested negative for COVID-19, and eight tested positive for Influenza,” the report said.
Ghana recorded its first suspected case of coronavirus a few weeks ago when two foreigners reported to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital with symptoms of the COVID-19 causing fear and panic among both health personnel at the hospital and the public mostly due to uncertainty of the outcome of the test.
After the tests proved negative, health authorities reiterated their assurance to Ghanaians that the government, through the Ministry of Health/Ghana Health Service, in collaboration with partners, was working to prevent and protect against the importation of the virus into the country.
According to the assessment report, the government’s support of ¢2.8 million as initial amount has so far gone towards the provision of PPEs, coordination activities and health declaration forms.
It, however, noted that a total budget of ¢35 million is needed for a comprehensive COVID-19 preparedness for Ghana.
“There are funding gaps and additional funding will be required to implement remaining activities at the national level, regions and districts. The World Health Organization (WHO), World Bank and other Health Partners are supporting the country to identify priority areas, as per the WHO national capacities tool, to map out and access support for the entire preparedness process,” the report indicated.
Country Preparedness
The Ministry of Health/Ghana Health Service said various activities were being undertaken to strengthen systems along the thematic areas of the national strategic plans at the district, regional and national levels including surveillance, coordination, laboratory, points of entry, case management, social mobilization and risk communication, logistics and finance.
The health authorities said 5,000 PPEs provided by the government had been distributed to all regions, Point of Entry (PoE), teaching hospitals, treatment centres, selected health facilities and other frontline facilities.
With support from Bernard Nocht Institute, the capacity to test for COVID-19 cases has been established at the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR), while procurement of more reagents & primers for confirmation of coronavirus cases are ongoing.
The U.S. government has also provided laboratory supplies to support sample collection and testing (NAMRU-3, CDC, USAID), technical support, funding and diagnostic reagents to NMIMR for testing and supporting development and printing of social and behaviour change communication materials and training.
The GHS, therefore, urged the public to practise good personal hygiene and call the hotlines 0558439868, 0509497700, 0509497700, and 0558439868 in case of persistent cough or fever for the effective management of suspected cases.
Last week, Nigeria became the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to register a case of the virus, which has killed some 2,900 people and infected more than 86,000 worldwide, the vast majority in China from where it originated late last year.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri