Patients’ Alliance of Ghana to mark Solidarity Day

The Patients’ Alliance of Ghana in Engagement (PAGE) will join the international community to mark Patient Solidarity Day, on Saturday, December 6, on the theme “One Voice, United, Universal”.

A statement issued by Mr Isaac Ampomah, PAGE Chairman and copied to the Ghana News Agency on Thursday said as part of activities marking the day, patients and organizations from around the world were standing together to call for universal health coverage.

It said PAGE was using the day as a pivot for Ghanaians to continue keeping Ebola at bay and totally eradicating Cholera.

The statement observed that it would be recalled that Patient Solidarity Day was launched on 30th October 2013, simultaneously with other African countries under the umbrella of the International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations (IAPO).

It noted that PAGE, which was launches that day, as an association of patient advocates across Ghana, was persuaded to move the date of the annual celebration to December 6th to synchronize with other countries across the world.

It said: “The threat of Ebola in West Africa and the recent Cholera-outbreak in Ghana exposes that communities are at high risk.

“PAGE therefore is emphasizing the need to keep our surroundings clean, eat hot food and observe proper hand washing practice to avoid the two diseases and other communicable diseases.”

It urged government to also sustain the effort of maintaining an effective health system that was ready to combat any outbreak of the Ebola disease.

The statement said patients were among key affected populations in every society and must be remembered at all times.

It said health workers and health professionals must provide an enabling environment for smooth dialogue where the Patient charter was uphold.

It said: “Budgetary allocations towards primary Health Care and Health Infrastructure must be released on time and the designs of health infrasture must be disability friendly.

“PAGE reminds health workers that the patient’s involvement is an intricate part of healthcare and needs professionalism at all time,"the statement said and wished Ghanaians a healthy Patient Solidarity Day and good health in the coming years.