The Eastern Regional branch of Ghana Coalition of NGOs in Health (GCNH) has suggested a partial lockdown of the Eastern region to help contain the spread of coronavirus disease.
The GCNH listed areas such as Krobo enclave, Fanteakwa North, and other major cities in the region such as Koforidua, Nsawam, Nkawkaw must be lockdown immediately and must be followed with 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 Darfuor has said Regional Security Council was assessing the situation for recommendation to the President for a lockdown should the need arises but for now does not think the region has reached that stage.
But addressing the media in Koforidua Tuesday, April 14, 2020,the Eastern Regional Chairman of Ghana Coalition of NGOs in Health, Emmanuel Kwafo Minta said the state must be proactive to be ahead of the virus instead of Chasing it therefore immediately announcement of a partial lockdown would help block spread to other parts of the region.
Meanwhile the Coalition of NGOs in Health -Eastern Region have expressed worry over high stigmatization, low education, lack of Personal Protective Equipment(PPEs), lack of isolation centers and treatment centers in health facilities among others as challenges identified in the region affecting the fight against the spread of the virus.
The Coalition is, therefore, urging the Government to allocate funds to Health CSOs to support the fight against COVID-19 to enhanced community-level education.
It also recommended that adequate PPEs should be provided for all Hospitals, Health Centres and CHS zones in the region and training conducted for the health workers, entreat the region to immediately allocate and equip isolation centers in the region.
Source: Mybrytfmonline/Obed Ansah
