Ghana Doctors’ threat to flee Ebola patients sad – Rawlings

Former President Jerry Rawlings of Ghana has said he felt sad upon hearing that some Ghanaian Doctors had threatened fleeing Ebola patients should the haemorrhagic virus hits home.

“I feel sad when I hear medical personnel talk of how they will flee if they suspect a patient to be infected with the virus," the former Military ruler said.


“All medical personnel need urgent education on their responsibilities as far as the disease is concerned and protective clothing should be provided to all medical facilities," he suggested.


The epidemic has killed more than 1,000 people so far in West Africa: Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Nigeria.


No case has been recorded in Ghana yet, but Doctors in the country’s major referral health facility, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, which is also the third largest hospital in Africa, threatened fleeing any Ebola patient brought in for treatment, in case the disease enters the West African country.


Mr Rawlings told a gathering at a ceremony to confer an honorary doctorate degree on him by the University of Education that: “The fact that Ghana has apparently not recorded the disease yet does not imply that we are Ebola free.”

He said it is “imperative that the relevant institutions intensify their readiness to confront the disease," adding: “Educating the public to maintain a good sense of hygiene is integral to the non-spread of the disease."


Rawlings also called on “corporate Ghana to support the process as a matter of national urgency."


Meanwhile, Ghana is grappling with a cholera epidemic, which has affected thousands of people, especially in the capital, Accra, and killing dozens.


Mr Rawlings described the annual outbreak of the diarrhoeal disease as an “embarrassing reflection of our poor sanitation practices."