Clement Kwesi Mamadu |Photo: Courtesy Clement

   By: Clement Kwesi Mamadu, P4H Focal person, Krachi East

Public Health Emergency Management Committees have been formed in Oti region and several other districts/municipals in the region to combat COVID-19. The committees are chaired by the regional minister, Hon. Nana Owusu Yeboah and municipal/district chief executives. They comprise Ghana Health Service (GHS), National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Information Services, Environmental Health Department, National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), the media, security services and opinion leaders.

The duties of the emergency committee are to educate the public on preventive measures and protocols to deal with COVID-19, monitor and ensure compliance of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and government directives to stop the spread of the virus. The Regional Health Minister, Mr. Emmanuel Dzotsi has announced that 4 health facilities – Nkwanta District Hospital, Worawora Government Hospital, Krachi West District Hospital and St. Mary Theresa Hospital have been designated as quarantine centres. In addition to the quarantine centres, COVID-19 District Response Teams have been constituted and are on standby.

A visit to Asubonten Rural Bank and Ghana Commercial Bank Limited (GCB LTD) in the regional capital, Dambai and other public places showing an encouraging level of compliance to the president’s directives. Hand washing logistics have been provided and are in use and the social distancing protocol is generally being observed. Also,

public education is on-going at various radio stations across the region on the measures to prevent COVID-19 such as staying at home and washing hands frequently with soap under running water.

GCB in Dambai enforcing social distancing |Photo: Courtesy Clement