World Vision launches Ebola Preparedness Project

World Vision Ghana (WVG), an International Non-Governmental Organisation, has launched Ebola Preparedness Project in Paga, a border town in the Kassena-Nankana West District of the Upper East Region.

The four months project dubbed; 'The Kassena-Nankana Ebola Preparedness Project', is to be funded by WVG in collaboration with the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives to the tune of 172,929 Ghana cedis.

WVG is contributing 53,320 Ghana cedis whilst the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives is providing 119,609 Ghana cedis.

Ms Benedicta Pealore, Upper East Regional Operation Based Team Leader of WVG, launched the project on behalf of the National Director of WVG, Mr Charles Hubert.

In a speech read for him, Mr Hubert said fighting a threat like the Ebola disease demanded strategic interventions in places like Paga, which was Ghana's entry point for its northern neighbours of Burkina Faso, Togo, Mali and Niger.

He said although Ghana had not recorded the Ebola disease, there should not be room for complacency on the part of the Government and all stakeholders.

Mr Hubert said the four months project was expected to improve the awareness of community members on the Ebola disease, enhance community surveillance of suspected Ebola cases and other communicable diseases as well as help strengthen the capacity building of community health staff and volunteers to manage suspected Ebola cases.

He said major activities that the project would implement include the training of 44 selected traditional, religious and community leaders including women and youth groups and the vulnerable as Ebola Ambassadors to facilitate education and awareness creation in communities.

“One hundred health workers and 140 volunteers will be trained on Ebola symptoms, signs and referral systems as well as the management of suspected Ebola cases. The project will also support health centres, churches and mosques and community gathering points with hand washing facilities,” Mr Hubert added.

He disclosed that already the project had procured materials including 10 pieces of non-contact thermometers and 100 pieces each of hand gloves, face masks and hand sanitizers to facilitate screening.

He said forty-four bicycles, safety boots and touch lights and 90 pieces of hand washing containers, soap and waste bins had also been distributed to community volunteers, churches, mosques and health facilities.

“WVG committed 661,250 Ghana cedis to the National Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund to complement Government and partners’ efforts to prevent, manage and contain the disease. Subsequently WVG has supported the training of health staff and laboratory technicians on Personal Protection Equipment use, sample collection, packaging and transportation.

“ World Vision Ghana has also printed and donated Information Education and Communication materials to the Ghana Health Service to facilitate public education,” Mr Hubert said.

Mr George Nonterah, District Chief Executive, lauded the efforts of WVG and the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives for partnering with the Government and the district to fight the Ebola disease and appealed to other stakeholders to join.