The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has described the COVID-19 situation in the country as “dire and alarming”.
The Association said the various major health facilities for isolation and treatment of COVID-19 cases in the country are currently overstretched.
According to the GMA, there is the need for increased public awareness campaign and strict adherence to prevention protocols in order to control the spread of infections in the country.
A statement issued by the Ghana Medical Association said the rise in cases was observed before, during and after the Christmas and New Year festivities.
“This development calls for concern by all well-meaning Ghanaians and organizations,” it said.
The situation, among others can largely be attributed to the disregard for and lack of enforcement of COVID-19 prevention protocols, it added.
“The Covid-19 situation in the country is alarming and dire at this particular moment. The risk of potential exponential rise in the number of cases cannot be discounted”.
Ghana has recorded 175 new Covid-19 cases, increasing the number of active cases to 1,420 as at January 11, 2021.
It has become a paramount concern for many Ghanaians who believe there is a silent second wave of the outbreak which is not receiving as much national attention as it was in 2020.
The Ghana Medical Association with its front line workers in a quest to fight against the virus said COVID-19 testing should be made free or relatively cheaper for Ghanaians and contact tracing strictly embarked upon.
“Additional, COVID-19 testing should be made free or relatively cheaper for the ordinary Ghanaian who needs testing as a result of direct exposure or when symptomatic for COVID-19. Furthermore, there should be government-led free mass testing in all identified COVID-19 hotspots,” the statement said.
The Association also called for health workers to be provided with adequate PPEs to help them discharge their duties safely and effectively.
Following the directives by the government to reopen all schools, the GMA disclosed schools must ensure that there is strict adherence to all COVID-19 prevention safety protocols.
The GMA therefore urged the government to fast track processes to secure COVID-19 vaccines for the country and cautioned the public to disregard bad notion against the use of vaccines.
Read the full statement below:
