A Director of the Center for Disaster Resilience and Leadership Studies of the University for Health and Allied Science (UHAS), Dr. Ishmael Norman has revealed that Ghana is only alert for the deadly Ebola virus but not ready and prepared to deal with an outbreak.
“…our preparedness is still questionable; what we are, is that we are alert, but not prepare enough,’’ he said.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, Dr. Norman noted that only an appreciable number of Ghanaians are informed about the threat of the virus.
“…as to the details of the information and the accuracy of the information that is doubtful,’’ he added.
He further explained that in terms of the “existential threat’’ of the Ebola virus to Ghana, it is important Ghana is completely alert, “not just the government and the Ministry of Health but individuals’’ as well.
According to him Ghana’s problem is not with the medical staff to fight with any kind of diseases, but the problem is the capacity of facilities available.
Dr. Norman also advised stakeholders to be completely alert and tighten security at the boarders. He said high level meetings like what happened in Accra last week only stays with the high level consumers and not the grassroots people.
“I think if the government really is serious about public education then I think there should be canvassers out there [educating the people],’’ he opined.
Reports on a suspected fever case at the Nyaho clinic sparked fears about a possible outbreak.
Tests on the American with the suspected fever case in Ghana by the Noguchi Memorial Research Institute proved negative.
Over 400 people have died from the Ebola disease since it broke out in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia.
Ebola kills its victims within days and symptoms of the virus include severe fever and muscle pain, weakness, vomiting and diarrhoea — in some cases shutting down organs and causing unstoppable bleeding.
By: Evans Effah/citifmonline.com/Ghana