Volta Doctors, Nurses Panic Over Ebola Scare
DOCTORS IN the Volta Region have expressed worry over the level of preparedness of health facilities in the care of Ebola patients should a case be recorded.
A doctor at one of the designated hospitals for Ebola care in the region who spoke on condition of anonymity told the DAILY GUIDE that health facilities designated for Ebola care have inadequate personal protective equipment (PPEs) to cater for suspected persons.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), a PPE could be used only once and after that has to be disinfected and well disposed either by burning.
The concerns follow the Volta Regional Director of Health, Dr Joseph Teye Nuetey's assurance of the region's preparedness to care for Ebola patients during a Parliamentary Select Committee on Defence and Interior visit to Aflao.
Dr Joseph Teye Nuertey said the 20 PPEs which the region received were distributed among the Port Health Department, Aflao Government Hospital and the Regional Hospital in Ho.
He, however, noted that due to the inadequacy of the non-contact thermometers, only Port Health officers at the main border use the infrared gadget to screen travellers, leaving officers at the pedestrian crossing at Beat Nine to dispense hand sanitisers to persons using that route to rub their hands.
The committee members were dismayed by the level of preparation and feared the arrangements were woefully inadequate to safeguard the nation against the deadly Ebola.
The Committee Chairman and MP for Ablekuma South, Fritz Baffour, feared that 'though we are totally aware of the Ebola menace and the possibility of it landing on our shores, we've not done enough to protect our frontiers.'
He said the situation was more disturbing because their tour of other major borders in the Western, Upper East and Upper West regions revealed similar conditions.
He, therefore, assured that pressure would be mounted on the relevant authorities to speed up the release of logistics to help frontline officers safeguard the country from the deadly Ebola virus.
From Fred Duodu, Ho ( freduoo@gmail.com )