The Ghana Association of Public Health Technical Officers (GAPHTO) has called on the government to provide insurance cover for health workers helping to fight the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.
In a press statement, the Association said the insurance cover together with other personal protective equipment is essential to safeguard its members.
GAPHTO also asked the government to employ more health workers including those awaiting recruitment to boost the capacities of the health personnel.
“We call on the government to honour its obligations by increasing the presence of health staff at the community level, building the capacities of the public health workers at all levels, making sure personal protective equipment are provided to all districts and sub-district health directorate and to provide insurance cover to protect the public health worker at the forefront.”
The association further urged its members to remain professional and do what they have been trained to do best to avoid harming the public or themselves.
“To all members of GAPHTO, we urge you to remain very professional and do what you are trained to do best. Remember, your health and safety first as per the guidelines for all health workers and protect the public as well. Do no harm to the public nor yourselves.”
Click here to read the full statement
Gov’t to secure insurance for frontline workers
Government is making arrangments to secure an insurance cover for all front line workers who will be attending to coronavirus related cases in the outbreak in the country.
The Minister of Health, Kwaku Agyeman Manu said the planned move is to aid in tackling the spread of the coronavirus of the outbreak at an earlier media presser in February.
“We are in this together and therefore we call on the private sector to give their full support to national efforts in this period,” he said.
Confirmed cases in Ghana
Four more cases of Coronavirus have been confirmed in Ghana.
Ghana has a total number of cases reported in the country.
This was announced by the government on Sunday, March 15, 2020, at a press briefing to update citizens on the outbreak of the Novel 2019 (COVID-19) in the country.
The government said three of the cases were recorded in Accra while one other was recorded in the Ashanti Region.
The Director of Public Health at Ghana Health Service, Dr. Badu Sarkodie who provided updates on the country’s cases said the new cases were also imported into the country.
He said two of the cases were confirmed on the 13th of March 2020 while the other two were confirmed on 14th March, 2020.
Government bans Church activities, funerals, all other public gatherings
The government has also banned all public gatherings including conferences, workshops, funerals, festivals, political rallies, church activities, and other related events as part of measures to stop the spread of coronavirus in the country.
President Nana Akufo-Addo during the national address said the ban will be in force for the next four weeks.
“I have decided in the interest of public safety and the protection of our population to review the public gathering advisories earlier announced as follows. Firstly, all public gatherings including conferences, workshops, funerals, festivals, political rallies, sporting events and religious activities, such as services in churches and mosques, have been suspended for the next four (4) weeks. Private burials are permitted, but with limited numbers, not exceeding twenty-five (25) in attendance,” the President said.
How to protect yourself
To prevent the spread, the standard recommendations coming from the WHO is regular hand washing, covering one’s mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs.
People are also advised to avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.