Covid-19: Do Not Be Afraid Of The Virus; Just Be Mindful Of It - Tarkwa Health Director

The Tarkwa Nsuem Municipal Health Director has asked residents of the area not to be afraid of the Covid-19.

He advises them to be mindful of it and seriously adhere to the preventive measures to avoid contracting it.

Mr. Emmanuel Afelkum said, “all of us should not be afraid of the situation, but just be mindful of the fact that, the basic precautionary measures that have been prescribed for us would be followed. So I am happy today, all of us are in masks because we always want to work ahead of the virus.”

He said this at a short ceremony at Tarkwa, Friday, April 17, 2020 when his outfit was receiving Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) from Gold Fields Ghana Limited (GGL) Tarkwa Mine, to help fight the Covid-19.

The items donated by Gold Fields were 35,700 pairs of hand gloves, 20,000 pieces of pocket-sized hand sanitizers, 1,200 large bottles of hand sanitizers, 8,000 pieces of surgical masks and 7,000 pieces of N95 masks.

They also included 1,500 pieces of protective gowns, 800 pieces of sample collection kits, 180 pairs of surgical wellington boots, 80 pieces of safety goggles, 60, pieces of Macintosh aprons, 70 handheld non-contact infra-red thermometers and 50 big sized veronica buckets.

Mr. Afelkum in his speech stated that, since Ghana recorded its first case of the disease in March 2020, the municipal health directorate has positioned itself to respond to all calls that had come to their notice and have acted accordingly.

He added, the two major health facilities in Tarkwa, the Municipal Hospital and the Apinto Hospital have been prepared to hold and manage cases that are reported there.

It is as a result of this and the activeness of the response team that have resulted in no record of the disease in the Tarkwa Nsuem.

The Health Director revealed that “so far we have picked 32 samples that have been taken to Noguchi for further analysis. We have received a total of 25 of the samples which have turned to be negative. Remaining are yet to be received”.

Mr. Afelkum thanked the mining firm, for their consistent support to the health service and promised to distribute the PPE to all health facilities, including the private ones, for a collective fight against Covid – 19 in the Tarkwa Nsuem Municipality.

In his address, the General Manager for Gold Fields Tarkwa Mine, Mr. Stephen Osei – Bimpeh disclosed, the mine is purchasing two ambulances to support the municipality to fight the disease apart from the PPE the company has already provided.

“The Mine will also provide two ambulances for the new Government Hospital and the Apinto Hospital in Tarkwa”, he said.

Mr. Osei – Bimpeh further stated, there is the need for Gold Fields to work closely with the Municipal Health Directorate to prevent the spread of the virus within the Tarkwa Nsuem Municipality, hence providing the PPE and the ambulances.

The PPEs, the General Manager explained, was provided from the $400, 000 the company has set aside to fight the disease in the Damang and Tarkwa Mines’ host communities. This is a separate one from the $433, 000 it has donated to the Government of Ghana.

He mentioned that “the Tarkwa mine is spending its portion of the amount to purchase Covid -19 prevention equipment to support the efforts aimed at preventing infections and spread of the virus in the municipality and other host communities.”

Same is expected to be done in the Prestea Huni –Valley Municipality.

Mr. Osei – Bimpeh was positive that, the contribution by the company will boost the preparedness of the Municipality and ensure the area does not record any coronavirus case.

On his part, the Municipal Chief Executive for Tarkwa Nsuem Municipal Assembly Hon. Gilbert Ken Asmah, thanked Gold Fields Ghana for always rising to the occasion.