GHC2.5m set aside to contain Corona virus

The government has allocated an initial amount of GH¢2.5 million, as part of a national preparedness plan to fight the deadly coronavirus if it is detected in Ghana. The Minister for Health, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, announced this on Tuesday, February 4, 2020, when he briefed Parliament on the government’s preparedness to fight the disease if the deadly corona virus is detected in the country. According to the Minister, the government has designated the Ridge Hospital (Greater Accra Regional Hospital), Police Hospital, Tema General Hospital and Ga East Municipal Hospital as treatment centres in case the virus is detected in the country. “We have designated treatment centres, isolation facilities and holding places for the management of confirmed and suspected cases,” he said, stressing that there are dedicated ambulances for safe transport of any suspected and confirmed case. He said all Teaching Hospitals in the country also have the capacity to treat any reported cases as well. The Minister told Parliament

that Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR) has agreed and consequently demonstrated its capacity to conduct tests for any confirmation of the deadly virus. He indicated that his ministry has already initiated a process to procure 10,000 pieces of personal protective equipment for the use of all front-line workers. “Arrangements are being made to procure insurance cover for all front-line workers,” he said. He said the Ministry is using a health declaration form to exact salient information from travellers into the country to assess their risk profile while there is a continuous screening for fever using walk-through thermometers and non-contact thermometers at the Kotoka International Airport and other designated points of entry. He however said that the ministry is mounting greater surveillance at Aflao and Elubo borders since the two border points are very busy for road travellers internationally “We are all in this together and therefore call on the private sector and development partners to give