Since the first two cases were reported on March 12, 2020, Ghana has been working hard to limit the coronavirus epidemic. To stop the virus from spreading, public health measures such as wearing facemasks in public areas, social distance, and hand cleanliness were used. Various standards were established, and isolation/treatment facilities were promptly located and prepared to receive and handle suspected and confirmed cases for optimal care of patients infected with coronavirus.
As the epidemic progressed, it became clear that more needed to be done to appropriately equip treatment centers, particularly those dealing with severe to critical Covid-19 patients, in order to enhance clinical outcomes and lower case fatality rates.
The World Bank contributed funding to WHO through the Pandemic Emergency Financing Facility (PEF) to strengthen Ghana’s health system’s capacity for case management, the better quality of treatment, and early case identification.
Treatment centers in all 16 regions of Ghana have received vital medical supplies, including oxygen concentrators, patient monitors, arterial blood gas analyzers, electrocardiograms, nasal oxygen cannulas, and pulse oximeters, as a consequence of this donation. 360 interdisciplinary health workers were also taught to handle Covid-19 patients successfully in isolation, treatment centers, and at home. The capacity of Ghana’s health system to detect and treat illnesses needing intensive care has increased in recent years. As a result, people infected with Covid-19 who require critical care and ventilator assistance have a better chance of surviving.
The management of Covid-19 patients requires careful screening, triaging, diagnosis, prompt connection to care, and contact tracking. To fulfill these goals effectively, healthcare personnel responding at these diverse health institutions have to be well safeguarded against contracting Covid-19. Healthcare personnel around the country were provided with personal protective equipment such as KN95, medical masks, examination gloves, face shields, isolation gowns, coveralls, goggles, gum boots, and shoe coverings.
225 contact tracers were trained in Ghana’s Greater Accra Region, the epicenter of the COVID-19 epidemic, to identify and immediately link individuals to care, as well as follow-up contacts of confirmed cases, in order to reduce community transmission. The National Ambulance Service was also given money and personal protective equipment to help ensure that confirmed patients were transported to medical centers around the country in a timely and safe manner. Confirmed cases admitted to isolation or treatment centers, particularly the vulnerable, were provided with personal effects such as toothpaste, bathing towels, and other hygiene supplies to meet their hygiene needs while in custody.
WHO is grateful to the World Bank for the PEF money, which allowed it to support these efforts while also contributing effectively to Ghana’s Covid-19 response.
