Newmont donates equipment for Ebola prevention

The Newmont Akyem Senior Leadership Team, has donated some medical items to the Eastern Regional Health Directorate towards the management and prevention of the Ebola Virus Disease in the Region.

Mr. Oduro-Kwarteng Marfo, Communication and External Relations Manager of Newmont Akyem Mine, made the presentation on behalf of the group, which comprises senior management personnel of Newmont Akyem Mine.

He said, Newmont had presented a medical equipment package valued at GH¢ 220,000.00 to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) towards the preparation for any possible outbreak of Ebola.

The package include support towards the setting up of two isolation centers in Brong Ahafo and in the Eastern Region, personal protective equipment, thermal scanners, educational awareness materials and training of Hospital staff.

The items donated include, 77 goggles, 10 thermo flashes, 173 surgical gowns, 16 gloves, 39 operating boots, 600 over shoes, 13 packets of disposable polythene aprons/bags, 36 pieces of hand gel, more than five bags of absorbents and eight face masks.

The package is intended to support the Ghana Health Service at the District, Regional and National Levels.

Mr. Oduro-Kwarteng said the donation was part of the promised package to assist Eastern Region in the preparation towards any probable outbreak of Ebola.

He said, though Ebola was a dreadful virus, with the right understanding and precautionary process in place, it could be avoided and contained.

Mr Oduro-Kwarteng said it was for that reason that Newmont had embarked on a sustainable community awareness campaign in their mining areas.

The Eastern Regional Health Director, Dr Mrs. Charity Sarpong expressed gratitude to the Newmont team for the presentation and assured that the items would be effectively used and pleaded for more of such support.

She said the GHS was also ensuring high level of sensitization of all health workers and the building of a strong health system.