Health specialist calls for intelligent actions to curb Ebola

Dr Philip Amoo, Public Health Specialist at the Noguchi Research Centre, at the weekend said the risk of contracting the Ebola Disease in Ghana was increasing by the day and called on all institutions to take intelligent actions to prevent the entry and spread of the virus in the Country.

He said dismissing rumours of Ebola disease was not enough as incidences at epic centres in the sub-region puts Ghana at a risk and called for concerted efforts in dealing with it

Dr Amoo noted that a careless approach would not solve the problem, as the different ways the disease was manifesting itself was cause for great concern, saying 50 to 90 per cent of people infected by the disease die and figures from affected countries was increasing.

He noted that Ghanaians had no excuse for sensational information on Ebola disease and said health and safety was critical among all institutions providing services in the country.

The Public Health Specialist made these comments at a sensitization meeting of staff of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) at Paga in the Upper East Region, as part of the institution’s preparedness in the fight against the Ebola disease.

Taking participants who were drawn from Port Health, Ghana Immigration Service, Customs and some support staff through causes, history and manifestation of the disease, the Public Health Specialist, who is also an occupational health specialist indicated the important role staff at the borders played.

He explained that those handling travelers’ bags and passports and searching through their clothing and personal contacts were easy ways to spread the disease and that sensitization would help protect staff, clients and the public travelling along the borders into the country.

He congratulated GRA for the leadership role in beginning the sensitization process for staff at the borders and urged the staff to protect themselves, their families, and the public from Ebola.

He said GRA’s preparedness on the issue included the constitution of Ebola crises management team, activation of Ebola readiness strategy under GRA business continuity plan, and the printing of Ebola standard operating procedures for all staff of GRA among others.

Dr Amoo however allayed fears of the public of over 76 suspected cases investigated in Ghana and advised the public to put an end to the panic.

“If we discovered it during our investigation, we would tell you,” he added, saying adequate surveillance was in place.

He took the opportunity to demonstrate the wearing of face masks, gloves and nose filters and hand washing to participants and encouraged the use of good hand sanitizers.

Togbe Dzogbenu V, Head of Human Resource Division (GRA), who was part of the sensitization team, said procurement of protective clothes was underway and in two weeks would reach all workers at the borders in the country.

He urged them to spend time to read leaflets on Ebola prepared by GRA to increase knowledge and ways to protect themselves.

Mr. David Atta, Commander in change of Customs at the Paga Border, thanked the resource person for equipping staff with knowledge on the disease and urged staff to protect themselves.

On monitoring, the commander said stringent measures were in place to intensify patrols at the borders.

He cautioned motor riders at unapproved routes who carry travelers along the borders to refrain from such acts and said monitoring in those areas would be intensified.