Accra Psychiatric Hospital records first COVID-19 case

Accra Psychiatric Hospital records first COVID-19 case

- COVID-19 treatment center has rejected an infected psychiatric patient

- According to Dr. Akwasi Osei, head of the Ghana Mental Health Authority, the COVID-19 treatment center refused to accept the patient because she was a mental health patient

- Dr. Osei says people with mental health conditions deserve no less than others

- Our manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in

A patient at the Accra Psychiatric Hospital has tested positive for COVID-19, health officials have confirmed.

However, the national treatment centre in Accra has refused to admit her because of her mental status, Dailymailgh.com has revealed.

The situation is causing concern about protection for other patients and staff, according to Human Rights Watch.

READ ALSO: Coronavirus: 6 news items on status of pandemic in Ghana on April 28

The infected woman was admitted to the acute care ward of the government-run hospital on April 20, 2020, and developed symptoms within days.

She was tested for COVID-19 and transferred to an isolation unit on April 23, and her test was confirmed positive on April 27.

"To prevent further infections, the government should immediately ensure that all psychiatric hospitals in the country test staff and patients, release as many patients as possible to avoid overcrowding, and ensure that staff and patients have adequate personal protective equipment", the rights organisation said in a statement.

Despite the best efforts of hospital staff, many patients, staff, and their families are now at risk because they had contact with a patient who has contracted COVID-19,” the disability rights director at Human Rights Watch, Shantha Rau Barriga told Dailymailgh.com.

READ ALSO: 5 ways Ghanaians can mistakenly catch coronavirus

After the woman’s positive COVID-19 diagnosis, the hospital attempted to transfer her to the COVID-19 treatment center, but the municipal authorities, who have to approve any such transfer, refused. 

Dr. Akwasi Osei, head of the Ghana Mental Health Authority, said they refused because she was a mental health patient.

YEN.com.gh earlier reported that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has provided some key facts (Q&A on coronaviruses (COVID-19) to ensure people are more enlightened about the disease.

According to Worldometer, there are now over three million (3,075,523) coronavirus (COVID-19) cases across the world as at Tuesday morning, April 28.

"I've recovered from COVID-19 but my barber doesn't want to shave me" - Fred Drah | #Yencomgh

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READ ALSO: Donald Trump angers China again by suggesting US may seek compensation for COVID-19 damages

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Source: YEN.com.gh

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