W/R Veterinary confirms capacity to handle COVID-19 samples

Dr. Simon Gbene, the Western Regional Director of the Veterinary Services has confirmed the preparedness of the service to handle any COVID-19 sample for testing and confirmation or otherwise.

He said the service had a well-resourced three-level standard laboratory, which is of international standard to handle difficult germs and viruses such as the deadly Coronavirus.

Dr. Gbene explained further to the Ghana News Agency in an interview that there were four levels or types of laboratories all over the world and the third level, which the Region had -the Biosecurity laboratory, which was capable of handling "stubborn viruses and germs".

The President in an address on Sunday night mentioned the Regional Veterinary Services Department as one of the centres to run test of samples on the COVID-19.

Already, according to Dr. Gbene, the Regional Minister Mr Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, had visited the facility and with the assistance of Eagle's Properties, donated GH¢25, 000 for the purchase of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to ensure the full take off by next week.

The Regional Veterinary Director said, "We are only waiting for the certification and inspection from the Noguchi Team, which is the main reference laboratory to enable us to start work".

He, however, stressed the need for constant supplies of PPEs to aid in their work adding, "these PPEs are mostly disposable and so, we will need them most of the time and that is why am calling on benevolent institutions to begin turning their attention to the Services to enable us to also deliver on our mandate".