The media has been urged to deepen its public education on COVID-19 to enable people adopt the right behavioral practices to help minimise spread. With strict adherence to the directives, one can be safe from being infected.
This was disclosed by the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Bongo, Mr. Peter Ayamga Ayinbisa, during a stakeholders meeting in Bongo in the Upper East Region to bring forth the district’s emergency preparedness with regards to the outbreak of the coronavirus.
The meeting was organised by the Bongo District Assembly in collaboration with the Public Health Management Committee (PHMC) and brought together Traditional Authorities, the District Director of Education, Imams, Church leaders, Immigration, Fire Service, Heads of Departments, Assembly men and women among others.
The aim was to educate the stakeholders on the key roles they can play, to help prevent the spread of the virus in the district.
In his address, the DCE indicated that misinformation and reports about the number of cases often recorded created fear and panic among the citizenry.
The Medical Superintendent, Bongo District Hospital, Dr. William Gudu stated that, the management of the hospital has put up rigorous measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic should it occur in the district including the public health emergency response and public health education teams.
He said the management of the hospital has established district and sub-district frontline screening teams and centers to enable staff, patients and visitors entering the health facilities are screened before being allowed into the OPD.
He said the Immigration Service has identified five Major unapproved routes and there are personnel patrolling those areas to ensure that people do not escape into the country.
Dr Gudu explained that a two bedroom with toilet and bath bungalow has been converted into a holding center and said lots measures, which are subject to review as when necessary, are being formulated to combat the menace.
Apart from the staff of the assembly intending to adopt the use of tissue as nose face, the Medical Supt, revealed that management has procured sanitisers ingredients to make themselves.
Bongo District Director of Health Service, Stephen Bordotsiah noted that, there is port health station at the Namoo border, linking Ghana and Burkina Faso, and they were collaborating effectively with immigration services to ensure that all persons entering the country are screened.
The District Director indicated that education would be intensified to ensure that all persons who were sick passed through the approved routes so as to enable the health professional assess them before being allowed into the country.
He called on all stakeholders to intensify public education about the COVUD-19 to enable the public appreciate the relevance of adhering to personal hygiene to avoid its spread.
Story filed by Emmanuel Akayeti.
