The Ghana Association of Certified and Registered Anaesthetics (GACRA) is advising its members to take precautionary measures to help curb the spread of Coronavirus.
As part of the safety measures for its members, GACRA urged that “In the absence of PPEs and in an unsafe condition/environment, members are advised to stay off unless their safety is guaranteed”.
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) is also demanding equitable distribution of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) following the increase in the number of confirmed cases of Coronavirus in the country.
Just like the GMA, the Nurses and Midwives have been advised by their mother association, the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association (GRNMA) to leave isolation units if they are not supplied personal protective equipment by the government.
The Association in a statement also urged the health workers to be on alert in the conduct of their daily routines in light of the outbreak of the 2019 Coronavirus.
As part of measures to stay safe, GACRA has outlined nine steps to that effect.
Some of the plans include taking interest in personal protection, usage of electronic messaging to limit contact hours among its members, adhering strictly to WHO/MOH safety protocols among others.
Read all nine measures outlined by the Ghana Association of Certified and Registered Anaesthetics (GACRA)
In the wake of COVID-19 pandemic in which Ghana has recorded Six (6) confirmed cases.
1. Members should remain calm as stakeholders are putting measures in place to avert the spread.
2. Members are entreated to adhere strictly to the WHO/MOH and GHS safety protocols.
3. Members should take an interest in personal protection.
4. Members should ensure their facilities provide them with the necessary PPEs such as gloves, sanitizers, face masks etc for protection.
5. In the absence of PPEs and in an unsafe condition/environment, members are advised to stay off unless their safety is guaranteed.
6. Patients for various forms of surgery must be critically evaluated for cardinal signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
7. All suspected cases for Anaesthesia assessment must be screened for COVID-19 according to the standard protocols before being attended to.
8. History of any travels and contacts made by a patient must be ascertained before the commencement of any anaesthesia procedure.
9. Electronic messaging and meetings are strongly advised.
Members are entreated to remain vigilant.