Hot!
Stop stigmatisation of COVID-19 victims…Mrs Gifty Twum Ampofo.
In the Kwaiebibirim Constituency, some residents have suspected a man who had returned into the country to with the COVID-19 virus have called on the chiefs and the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to evacuate the man, from the community stating that they would not stay in the area with him.
Such incidents and stigmatisation of such persons has caused emotional trauma among people with the virus leading to some refusing to attend hospitals when they have the symptoms.
The COVID-19 pandemic did not only cause havoc in the country but had also led to people stigmatising others who contracted the virus whether recovered or not, or have returned from one of the countries that have been hard hit by the virus.
In an exclusive interview with the Member of Parliament for Abuakwa North Constituency, Mrs Gifty Twum Ampofo, on the issue, she urged the public to stop stigmatisation of coronavirus patients and rather show a sense of love and care towards them, adding that, more education was needed on the pandemic.
According to the MP who is also Deputy Minister for Education in charge of TVET a lot of people have less education on how a person can be infected.
She said there was no need to stigmatise coronavirus patients or people suspected to have the virus since it was not a disease that kills instantly.
“Even though the virus has no known cure for it, a lot of people have recovered. The fact that someone has contracted the virus does not mean his end has come.”
Mrs Twum-Ampofo noted that, rather than stigmatise them, people should show care and love, adding, “It would motivate others to quickly visit the hospital or go”. to the testing centres if they have acquired the virus,”
She lamented that because of stigmatisation, people were not going to the hospital to even find out if they have the virus when they see signs and symptoms of the virus in them, and reiterated the need to stop the stigmatisation and treat them well, adding anybody could be a victim.
“Once a person has been declared recovered by the Ghana Health Service, it means the person has truly recovered considering the number of tests that would have been done,” she said.
Mrs Twum-Ampofo revealed that, according to GHS statistics about 494 patients have recovered as at May 12, 2020, adding that, those who have died were said to have underlining health issues.
“Those who have recovered are not harmful as those of us who have not yet checked to know our status,” she stated, and called on the citizenry to have sympathy for such people and rather show them love in this era of the COVID-19 pandemic.
She also called on the public to ensure that, they observed all safety protocols including proper handwashing, social distancing, respiratory hygiene among others to help curb the spread of the coronavirus.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Koforidua
Hot!
GEXIM to host “SME GO” programme stakeholder sensitisation and fair on September 18
The Ghana Export – Import Bank (GEXIM) in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ghana Enterprises Agency and Development Bank of Ghana will be hosting the final phase of the stakeholder sensitisation exercise on the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Growth and Opportunity (SME GO) Programme at the Bank’s headquarters located at the Africa Trade House, in Accra.
The stakeholder sensitisation event is scheduled to take place on Wednesday SSeptember18, 2024 at 10 am and will give attendees a deeper insight into the SME GO Programme with a focus on the dynamics of the programme, eligibility criteria application process and how the initiative seeks to assist Ghanaian SMEs to scale up and compete favorably in the international marketplace.
The confirmed speakers and dignitaries for the event will highlight how Ghanaian SMEs can leverage on the SME GO Programme to build the capacities and make them sustainable.
They include Hon. Abena Osei-Asare, Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Hon. K. T. Hammond, Minister of Trade and Industry, Hon. Nii Kwartei Titus Glover, Greater Accra Regional Minister as well as the Chief Executive Officers of the Ghana Enterprises Agency and Development Bank of Ghana.
Alongside the stakeholder sensitisation event, GEXIM will be hosting a special edition of its popular SME Fair dubbed “SME GO Mart” at the forecourt of the Africa Trade House, from 8am to 8pm.
The theme for the “SME GO Mart” is “Celebrating Ghanaian SMEs” and it will provide a platform for Ghanaian entrepreneurs to showcase various top-quality Made-In-Ghana products.
Over hundred Ghanaian entrepreneurs with unique products have been confirmed to participate in the fair.
They will be exhibiting several unique and authentic products at unbeatable prices including food and ingredients, beverages, skin and beauty care products, textiles, apparel, garments, leather footwear, slippers, and many others.
In July 2024, the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Finance launched the SME GO Programme, a ground breaking initiative which sought to provide Ghanaian SMEs with the needed funds, requisite technology and knowledge as well as other relevant resources and tools to aid their growth to become international giants.
Hot!
Zipline, GHS reduce maternal mortality in Ashanti Region by 56.4% – Study
A recent impact assessment study on aerial logistics to improve maternal health and emergencies has revealed a remarkable reduction in maternal mortality by 56.4% in Ghana’s Ashanti Region, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Zipline and the Ghana Health Service (GHS).
This was revealed at the National Ghana Health Service Research Conference organized by the Ghana Health Service in partnership with Zipline. The study, which focused on the impact of aerial logistics in healthcare, also noted a 19.9% increase in antenatal visits and a 25% rise in in-facility births, signaling a significant boost in maternal health outcomes.
The success according to the study is attributed to the on-demand availability of blood and essential medical supplies provided by Zipline’s innovative drone delivery system. This consistent access to critical resources has increased patient confidence in the healthcare system, encouraging more mothers to seek necessary care throughout their pregnancies.
Speaking on the highlight of the study, the Research Officer at Ashanti Regional Health Directorate stated, “the significant decrease in maternal mortality we’ve seen is a clear indication of the vital role that reliable access to medical supplies plays in healthcare. The ability to deliver blood and essential medicines exactly when they’re needed has transformed how mothers in the Ashanti Region perceive and engage with the healthcare system.”
“It’s an achievement that speaks to the importance of introducing technology in healthcare delivery. Mothers now feel more confident in seeking care, knowing that they will receive the support they need throughout their pregnancies,”he stated.
The study examined data from 191 health facilities, including hospitals, health centers, and Community-based Health and Planning Services (CHPS) Compounds. Among these, 99 facilities were served by Zipline’s aerial logistics, while 91 were not. The research employed adjusted rates for various key indicators, such as antenatal consultations, emergency visits, referrals, live births, hysterectomies, maternal deaths, and neonatal deaths, as the main dependent variables.
The qualitative aspect of the study aimed to describe and analyze the changes in satisfaction levels among healthcare providers and patients, perceived quality of care in maternal health and emergencies, and experiences related to the use of aerial logistics. In-depth interviews were conducted with 22 patients and 23 healthcare providers at the participating facilities.
Globally, maternal mortality remains a critical public health challenge, with stark disparities between high-income and low-to-middle-income countries (LMICs).
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the majority of maternal deaths occur in LMICs, often due to preventable causes. In Ghana, particularly in the Ashanti Region, the problem is critical, reflecting the broader challenges faced across the African continent. Beyond this, socio-economic, geographic, and infrastructural factors intensify the risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth, highlighting the urgent need for innovative solutions to improve maternal health outcomes.
As maternal mortality continues to pose a challenge in low-to-middle-income countries, the success seen in Ghana’s Ashanti Region offers a promising model for other regions and nations striving to improve maternal health outcomes through innovative solutions.
Zipline is poised to continue leading the way in revolutionizing healthcare delivery, ensuring that every mother has access to the life-saving resources, no matter where she lives.
