Ghana ready to combat Ebola

The Ministry of Health (MOH) on Tuesday gave the assurance that it has in collaboration with key stakeholders, put in place all necessary measures to combat the Ebola Viral Disease (EVD) if it is confirmed.

A statement signed by Mr Tony Goodman, Public Relations Officer of the Ministry and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Accra, said as part of its preparedness plan, many measures and logistics have been put in place to combat the disease.

“There is the provision of two Temperature walk in scanners at the Kotoka International Airport, the provision of Hand held temperature scanners at various approved entry points, hospitals and tertiary institutions and the establishment of Ebola Centers, as well as holding areas,” it said.

The statement said the MOH has also organized training programmes for health personnel across the country, as well as Public education, Risk Communication and Social Mobilisation.

“As you are aware, Ghana is an international transport hub, and has not registered a case of Ebola to date, it therefore falls into the category of countries that will implement activities towards achieving the third objective of Ebola Response Roadmap, which is to strengthen preparedness of all countries to rapidly detect and respond to an Ebola exposure, especially those sharing land borders with an intense transmission area and those with international transportation hubs,” the statement said.

The statement said a training of trainers programme will be organized in Greater Accra for health workers in the various facilities in the country from October 22 to 24, to equip front line health workers with the necessary skills for prompt and effective case management, infection prevention and control, outbreak response, safe burials and psychosocial support.

It said such training would help enhance survival, and limit the spread of infection in the health facilities and in the communities.

The statement urged the public to avoid direct contact with body fluids of persons suffering from Ebola, by using protective materials like gloves, goggles, and masks.

“Disinfect the beddings and clothing of an infected person with disinfectant, and persons suspected to be suffering from Ebola should be taken to the nearest health unit immediately,” the statement advised.

It said the MOH would not relent on its efforts to continue to put in place measures that would safeguard the health of the people.

Ebola is a severe, infectious often-fatal disease in humans that presents high fever and bleeding.

Currently, there is no vaccine against the disease.