The Ghana Medical Association (GMA), is asking government to properly structure the country\u2019s emergency response systems.<\/p>\n
According to the Association, even though a policy document for national emergencies exists, \u201cit lacks concrete steps for feasible implementation\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Ghana Health Service\u2019s policy and guidelines for accident and emergency services in Ghana, states an emergency core team, which comprises doctors, physician assistants, critical care nurse and triage personnel, must be physically present at all times at all hospitals, but this is usually not the case.<\/p>\n
[contextly_sidebar id=”RXZAIL1KNbojPHO63rkxdN8lxvV2dW0K”]The GMA at its 16th Annual Public Lecture indicated that, the country under the present circumstances, is not fully prepared to mitigate the impact of any emergency.<\/p>\n
The lecture was held under the theme; \u201cMedical Preparedness for National Emergencies\u201d.<\/p>\n
It was established that measures put together by government to mitigate disasters are woefully inadequate.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is therefore the need for Ghana to position itself strategically to prevent these disasters, and be prepared to mitigate its effect should they happen. There is not enough budgetary allocation set aside for this purpose\u201d, a statement issued at the end of the lecture stated.<\/p>\n
It further added that, \u201cit would require that systems are put in place to predict and prevent these emergencies. The need for provision of proper infrastructure and constant training of key personnel involved in dealing with emergency\/disaster situations including a training school for National Disaster Management Organisation cannot be overemphasized.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is also important to identify and equip a selected hospital in each region as a designated emergency treatment center. These hospitals should have the right emergency department design which includes adequate space, well trained personnel, well stocked ambulances and helipads to make landing of emergency helicopters possible to aid in transportation of victims of emergencies\/disasters to these facilities\u201d.<\/p>\n
The 37 Military Hospital, which is the third largest hospital in Ghana, is the designated emergency disaster hospital in Ghana. However the\u00a0General Secretary of the GMA, Dr. Franklin Serebour \u00a0indicated that, logistics at the 37 Hospital are not enough to mitigate the impact of any medical emergency.<\/p>\n
\u201cLook at the Kintampo accident, where it occurred, by the time you rush the victims from Kintampo to 37, you can imagine what would\u00a0have happened. And even at 37, there is no area earmarked for emergencies. The emergency response team is not adequately resourced too\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n
According to him, the same situation pertains in other major health centers across the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you go to Komfo Anokye right now, the disaster area, there are so many boxes packed there. No place has been designated so that if you have mass casualty you can sort it out from there. We also looked around hospitals in the region and realized that none of them has the areas earmarked for emergencies\u201d.<\/p>\n
Dr. Serebour is therefore calling for the right measures and appropriate logistics, including \u201cproper planning and engineering of our towns, cities and roads\u201d to ensure effects of disaster are largely mitigated, should they happen.<\/p>\n
–<\/p>\n
By: Eugenia Tenkorang\/citifmonline.com\/Ghana<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA), is asking government to properly structure the country\u2019s emergency response systems. According to the Association, even though a policy document for national emergencies exists, \u201cit lacks concrete steps for feasible implementation\u201d. The Ghana Health Service\u2019s policy and guidelines for accident and emergency services in Ghana, states an emergency core team, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":237919,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[19],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n