body-container-line-1
01.07.2021 Article

Ghana’s Covid-19 Fight-Where We Are And Where We Should Be Heading

By Farouk Adam IDDRISU
Ghanas Covid-19 Fight-Where We Are And Where We Should Be Heading
01.07.2021 LISTEN

Ghana has made significant strides in the fight against COVID-19, relative to its peers in sub-Saharan Africa. This is reflective in the downward trend of infections and fatalities.

In my last write-up earlier this year, I enumerated a number of concerns that needed to be addressed if we desired herd immunity. Among other concerns, I raised the capacity of the Country to secure enough vaccines for the population. I also raised storage capacity concerns for the vaccines as well as public skepticism about the safety of the vaccines.

The Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service has handled the last two concerns fairly well, in my opinion. May be largely due to the small number of vaccines received and the small nature of the targeted population. The Ministry and its Agency, Ghana Health Service has strengthened cold chain activities that has enabled the successful and safe storage of the COVID-19 vaccines that have been received so far. Public Skepticism has also been largely managed, as far as the safety of consumption of the vaccines are concerned, hence coverage rates have been encouraging.

Our greatest concern which has the potential to derail the progress of the Country as far as the fight against COVID-19 is Government’s inability to procure enough vaccines as planned for the population.

This is particularly worrying in the face of the recent detection of the Indian Variant of COVID-19 in Ghana, also known as the ‘Delta’ variant, which is extremely deadly-evidenced by its devastating effect on India. This was confirmed by the Head of West Africa Centre for Cell Biology and Infectious Pathogens, Professor Gordon Awendare on 22nd June, 2021.

This news is more disturbing as there are speculations that both the Sputnik V and AstraZeneca vaccines do not guarantee protection from the Delta variant of COVID-19.

I’m aware of efforts by the Ministry of Health to acquire the Sputnik V vaccine for the population, which is commendable. However, considering the cost of the vaccine and Ghana’s financial capacity to acquire them, of course, whose efficacy has been questioned relative to the power of the Delta variant, this situation really threatens the gains made over the last one year, as far as the fight against COVID-19 is concerned.

I wish to propose a number of strategies to address the situation:

1. In the short term, while we strive to procure enough vaccines for the population, we should renew our efforts at enforcing strict compliance with all the COVID-19 protocols (wearing of facemask at all material times, observing social distancing in public places, regular hand hygiene and eating well to boost our immune systems). These are not new, just that enforcement has been weak. These are cost effective but effective strategies to prevent infections and spread. May be the IMPOSITION OF RESTRICTIONS ACT 2020 (ACT 1012) will ensure compliance if enforced strictly.

2. In the long-term, the Government should consider investing in building Laboratories to promote research in the Country. There is no doubt that COVID-19 has exposed the weakness or gaps in Laboratory research in Ghana. The Government should consider providing each of the 16 Regions in the Country with a state of the art Laboratory to facilitate research as more health threats are emerging.

3. It has also become imperative for Government to invest in vaccine manufacturing. In the long-term Government should consider partnering with private institutions to set-up vaccine manufacturing companies to make vaccines available for local consumption and export.

My conclusion is that the fight against COVID-19 is far from over. There is therefore no room for complacency. There are more emerging health threats ahead of us. As a Country we need to strengthen our health system to prepare us for the challenges ahead.

FAROUK ADAM IDDRISU - MSC. (London) BSC. Admin (GH) LL.B (GH)

HEALTH POLICY, PLANNING, FINANCING AND MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST

MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATION OF HEALTH SERVICE ADMINISTRATORS-GHANA

body-container-line