The Ghana Medical Association of Ghana (GMA), has disclosed that over seven hundred and seventy-nine (779) health workers as at June 31 this year, have been infected with the novel coronavirus, and nine of which, have sadly succumbed to the virus. Out of this number, 199 doctors and dentists [of the GMA) have contracted the virus, and 4 of them passing away as a result.
An additional 410 nurses of the Ghana Registered Nurses Association and Midwives, have contracted the virus, and one unfortunately has passed away. In the Health Services Workers Union, and the Government Hospital Pharmacist Association (GHSA), a total of 156 and 23 members respectively have contracted the virus, with one of the GHSA succumbing to it.
President of the Ghana Medical Association, Dr Frank Ankobea in a press briefing indicated that these infections and deaths could be avoided if government had been resourcing the health facilities to combat the disease.
He cried that several other health workers are currently in isolation centers after being exposed to infected persons.
He provided a list of eight risk or causal factors to their situation.
1 . Inadequate and erratic supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to health workers both in quantity and quality.
2 . General breakdown or non-adherence to infection prevention and control protocols.
3 . Non-disclosure or concealment of information from health workers by facility managers when colleagues test positive for COVID-19 at the workplace.
4 . The Delays in receipt of COVID-19 test results for patients being managed in wards resulting in increased exposure of health personnel the virus.
5 . Breakdown or inadequate contact tracing within facilities
6 . Lack of designated holding bays for suspected cases in some facilities
7 . Delays in the closure of wards for the disinfection of owing to exposure to COVID-19 patients.
8 . Apparent disregard of the safety protocols by some health workers and patients who visit facilities.
Dr. Ankobea intimated that the rise in cases of infection among health workers is a public health crisis and must be address quickly.
“…because it negatively affects staffing levels and results in mounting work pressure on the few health workers at post. If this trend persist, there will be no virtually no health workers available to attend to patients” he explained.