Dr. Abdulai Abukari with stakeholders at Nalerigu
The North East Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service(GHS), Dr. Abdulai Abukari has disclosed that the North East region currently does not have any active Covid-19 case on admission.
According to him, since the start of the Covid-19 Pandemic, the region has so far recorded 283 cases with 11 deaths.
The North East Regional Director called on the general public to continue with the preventive protocols; the regular wearing of the face mask, the social distancing and the regular hand washing.
“We all need to understand that, none of us here is safe until all of us are safe in this era of Covid-19 pandemic.”
He revealed plans by the Health Directorate to vaccinate about 381,701 people adding that as of December 20, 2021, the region has taken stock of 160,226 doses of all types of the Covid-19 vaccines, and of which 115,221 people have so far been vaccinated.
“The percentage of all persons who have so far taken at least one dose is 30.2% and 16.9% are persons who have fully completed the Covid vaccination.”
Dr. Abukari stated that some stock of vaccines of about (16,133 doses) have been taken for the region which due to the vaccines hesitancy would want to solicit the assistance on how they could convinced the public to avail themselves for the vaccination in other to avoid them from going waste.
“We need the input of all, especially members of the Public Health Emergency Management Committee, the Media, Chiefs, Queen Mothers, Pastors, Imams, the Security Agencies, SHS Heads (GES) to support us in getting our people vaccinated.”
Speaking at a media engagement held in Nalerigu, Dr. Abdulai Abukari indicated that the major problem facing them in the region are some mythical and conspiracy theories been thrown out there which has succeeded in injecting fear into most people, making it difficult for people to avail themselves for the vaccination.
The Northe East Regional Health Directorate complained about vaccine hesitancy among the people in the region which has often resulted in the wastage of most of the vaccines been sent to the region.
He appealed to the general public who have not yet vaccinated to do so as it would protect them against the virus and even if they are infected after the vaccination, it would not be as severe as someone who has not been vaccinated.
“The vaccine is free and protective. So, let’s make it our civic duty and responsibility to get vaccinated as well as advocate for the vaccination of all our love ones who are eligible.”
FROM Eric Kombat, Nalerigu