Covid-19 testing must be free for all Ghanaians - Okudzeto Ablakwa

- Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa wants all covid-19 tests free to all Ghanaians

- The Legislator believes this will reduce the surge of the virus

- The Oti Region has recorded its first ever covid-19 case

The legislator for the North Tongu constituency in the Volta Region, Okudzeto Ablakwa, wants Ghanaians to have free Covid-19 tests.

As Ghana’s covid-10 cases increase, the Ghana Medical Association, has raised concern over the hike in the price of coronavirus PCR test. Currently, all persons arriving in the country have to pay $150 dollars for a test.

Also, private hospitals and laboratories are charging between 500 to 1000 cedis for a covid-19 PCR test.

“Having the test free will go a long way to get many Ghanaians testing and knowing their status. With this, we can deal with the rising surge in cases,” he stated on the floor of Parliament.

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Ghana’s Oti Region, part of the new regions by President Akufo-Addo, has recorded its first cases of the coronavirus pandemic.

A letter confirming the cases was sent to all district and municipal directors of health services at the Ghana Health Service in the Oti Region.

“I write to inform you of the confirmation of two (2) new cases of COVID-19 in the OTI Region on 21st January 2021. The two cases are the first set of cases confirmed this year. They are from a set of seven (7) samples that were taken from suspected cases at the St. Joseph’s Hospital in Nkwanta South Municipal on 18th and sent to the lab on 19th January 2021 after they complained of signs and symptoms. Steps have been initiated for management of the cases and contact tracing,” a letter signed by the Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Osei Kuffuor Afreh indicated.

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Vaccinations

Frontline health worker would be the first beneficiaries of the Ghana coronavirus vaccination distribution and administration. President Akufo Addo on Tuesday told the annual New Year school government had concluded a technical committee discussion on the vaccine and awaiting action.

Speaking on Joy News, a former deputy health minister, Bernard Oko Boye indicated the county had applied to a world health Organization platform to access the vaccine expected to be available in the first of this year. He disclosed the priority list for vaccination.

“As we speak, there is a technical committee established to look at the criteria for a rollout. Frontline health care workers on the priority risk. Also, the security forces, persons with health conditions and transport operators and teachers because of how they interact with passengers,” he revealed

Lockdown

Government is under immense pressure to effect a second lockdown. Ghana’s Coronavirus positivity rate keeps increasing. The Ghana Medical Association has warned of hospitals and Intensive Care Units (ICUs) being overwhelmed by Covid-19 cases.

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As at January 11, the number of confirmed active cases – as reported from the website of the Ministry of Health – stands at 1,404.

Figures from the Ministry of Health shows a spike in daily numbers since December – this has been linked to indiscipline, flouting of covid-19 protocols and the elections.

Already, the Ghana Medical Association has warned the public that “their health is in their own hands” and hospitals get overstretched to deal with the surge of the virus.

Even as government races to curtail the spread of the virus, suspicions of a suppression of Covid-19 data keeps rising. Journalists and some medical professionals are doubting the figures being churned by the Ministry of Health as they argue that they (the figures) are in sharp contrast with the reality at various medical facilities.

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Meanwhile, President Akufo Addo has assured of Ghana’s preparedness to roll out a mass vaccination program against Covid-19. Speaking at his recent Covid-19 address, the president revealed that procurement processes are far advanced to secure millions of vaccine doses in 2021.

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Source: YEN.com.gh