NGOs in health call for partial lockdown of Eastern Region

The Eastern Regional branch of Ghana Coalition of NGOs in Health (GCNH) is calling for partial lockdown of the region to help contain the spread of Coronavirus disease in the region.

The Coalition maintains in spite of the spread of the disease to the region many people seems careless and doing businesses, as usual, increasing the risk of spread in the region.

The GCNH is, therefore, proposing that the Krobo enclave, Fanteakwa North, and other major cities in the region such as Koforidua, Nsawam, Nkawkaw must be lockdown for enhanced mass testing.

Eastern Region has recorded 41 cases of Coronavirus as of April 13, 2020. Most of the confirmed cases are from among some railway construction workers in Lower Manya Krobo while one case has been recorded in Fanteakwa North District.

The Eastern Regional Minister Eric Kwakye Darfour has downplayed calls for immediate lockdown arguing the cases have not spread in communities but said Regional Security Council has been assessing and closely monitoring the situation to recommend for lockdown if the need arises.

However addressing the media in Koforidua Tuesday April 14, 2020, the Eastern Regional Chairman of Ghana Coalition of NGOs in Health, Emmanuel Kwafo Minta said delay in announcing a lockdown would be injurious to effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

GCNH also highlighted that stigmatization, low education, lack of Personal Protective Equipment(PPEs), lack of isolation centers in health facilities, misconceptions and beliefs among others as some debilitating challenges identified as hindrances to the fight against the coronavirus in the region.

It is, therefore, calling on Government to allocate funds to Health CSOs to support the fight against COVID-19 to enhanced community level education.

The NGOs also recommended that, adequate PPEs should be provided for all Hospitals, Health Centres and CHPS zones in the region and training conducted for the health workers, entreat the region to immediately allocate and equip isolation centres in the region.