So far, items worth $320,000 dollars donated in five regions
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to rage on, a robust national health system which is well resourced is crucial at this stage if the country is to win the fight against the pandemic.
It is in the light of this that UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in Ghana has shown commitment in supporting the Health Sector as part of the UN Country Team Response in Ghana.
In the third leg of a series of donations in support of the national Covid-19 response efforts, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in Ghana has donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and hygiene products to six health facilities and 2 District Health Directorates in the Volta Region. The Volta Region is host to most Togolese refugees and asylum seekers in Ghana.
Items donated included hand sanitizers, automatic dispensers, surgical masks, gloves, infrared thermometers, disinfectants, disposable hand towels, veronica buckets amongst others. The Ho Teaching Hospital, Hohoe Municipal Hospital, Ketu South Municipal Hospital, Ketu South Municipal Health Directorate, St. Anthony’s Hospital, Ho Health Directorate, Kadjebi District Health Center, Mary Theresa Hospital in Papase were beneficiary institutions in the Volta Region.
UNHCR Public Health Officer, Ms. Juliana Owusu who presented the items on behalf of UNHCR said the donation is to supplement national efforts in the prevention and response to COVID-19 and also in appreciation of the inclusion of refugees in in national systems including those particular health facilities that were supported.
“Hospitals and health centers are struggling to cope with the sharply increasing number of individuals needing urgent help and we cannot stand aloof at this crucial time” Ms Juliana Owusu
Ms. Owusu added that the items are a vital lifeline for improving health care in Ghana which also benefits refugees and their host communities. She said UNHCR stands in solidarity with the people of Ghana and are ready to help in whatever way possible to contain the spread of COVID-19 and mitigate the impact, especially on the most vulnerable
At the St Mary Theresa Hospital, Dr. Ametepe Kwabena who received the items indicated the donation was timely.
“We had challenges purchasing PPEs and Hygiene products due to financial constraints. This will really go a long way in helping improve our quality of services”
Dr Ametepe Kwabena, St. Mary Theresa Hospital
Nurse-in-charge at the COVID-19 isolation and management of the Ho Teaching Hospital, Elorm Dzobioku, who was part of the team who received the items on behalf of the facility was very grateful.
“This donation is the largest we have received from a single organization since the beginning of the crisis”
Elorm Dzobioku, Ho Teaching Hospital
Ketu South Municipal Hospital’s Head of Administration, Alex Hlotsu, noted that because they are very close to the border they receive a number of asylum seeker and the donation will go a long way in helping them provide quality health services for all.
Earlier, the Representation had made similar donation of items to some selected health facilities in Accra as well as a donation to District and Municipal Health Facilities in communities hosting refugee camps in Ghana in the Western, Central and Bono Regions. Health facilities in all the four refugee camps have equally received their share of donations. In all, items worth 320,000 dollars have been donated so far to the various health facilities.
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