The Upper East Regional Hospital has taken delivery of 20 cartons of hand sanitisers mobilised by the Director of the Abrantie/Cast-Eve Ventures, Alex Tekpor, in support of the anti-COVID-19 campaign.
The items were provided by One Africa Industries Limited, producers of hand sanitisers, through an appeal the Accra-based company received from Mr. Tekpor in the wake of the pandemic.
“We as business organisation deem it necessary to support the government’s fight against coronavirus for the welfare of the citizenry at large. It is also our hope that the protocol directives stated by the World Health Organisation to avoid the spread of the virus would be adhered to.
“We are also working assiduously to educate our customers and the general public to abide by the protocol rules especially the social distancing, regular washing of hands under running water and the use of hand sanitisers. We would also like to acknowledge the efforts put in place by our health workers in fighting against the coronavirus,” said a statement issued to the press at the donation event by Mr. Tekpor, widely referred to as ‘Abrantie’ in the region.
The hospital was glad for the support, a reaction that affirmed the confidence expressed by a spokesperson for the donors, Evelyn Tekpor, in her opening remarks that the gesture would “boost the morale” of healthcare workers.
“We are grateful. We know that the pandemic we are confronted with is no respecter of persons. Government itself is overwhelmed. And so, if we have individuals in society contributing to government’s efforts, you can [always be grateful to those who support]. God will continue to bless you,” the hospital’s Administrator, Zakariah Yakubu, told the donors at the event.
Stigma a Major Challenge – Hospital Authorities
Authorities say the hospital currently is managing 6 confirmed cases of the disease and the staff at the core of the COVID-19 ‘warfare’ need more personal protective equipment to keep fighting. They are also pointing at stigma as a major challenge.
“Stigma is emerging as a major challenge in the management of the COVID-19. If people are stigmatising against confirmed cases, even those who are recovered, it would affect other people who have the symptoms [discouraging them] from coming forward for us to be able to take samples for investigation and for management. It would affect our efforts in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. We want the public to know that having COVID-19 doesn’t mean you are going to die. It is not a death sentence.
“Majority of the people, over 80%, have mild symptoms. Some are even asymptomatic: they don’t have any symptoms and signs. Only 15% would require hospital care. And only 5% among the 15% would require intensive care. Even that one depends on the person having other conditions like heart condition, hypertension, diabetes, cancer and so on, or you are aged from 70 years and above. If you don’t have those conditions, your risk of getting the severe form and dying is low. Moreover, people are recovering,” the hospital’s Acting Medical Director, Dr Samuel Aborah, told journalists on the sidelines of the donation ceremony.
By Edward Adeti, Upper East region, Daily Mail GH
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