Hepatobiliary surgery Ph.D. student and Chairman of Ghanaian Community Association, Wenzhou Chapter, Dr. Percy Akuetteh has advised that cooperation between the government, agencies and citizens is the only way by which we can fight the coronavirus outbreak in Ghana.
He gave this advice on a virtual idea-sharing conference organized by Global Media Alliance Broadcasting Company (Happy 98.9FM and e.TVGhana) in partnership with KenCity Media, themed, COVID-19 Dealing With The Challenges : A dialogue With Ghanaians In China.
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Picking his advice from the Chinese mode of fighting the virus, he advised the Ghanaian government to partner with other institutions especially private over-the-counter pharmacies. According to him, it is one of the greatest strategies to fight the virus. Our pharmacy systems are essential to fight the coronavirus. In China, the pharmacies were not allowed to sell any drugs that reduced fever. Anyone with a fever instead of purchasing drugs from a pharmacy was directed to report to the hospital for testing,” he said.
According to him, this was to ensure that people didn’t just take medication to treat a fever which could be a possible symptom of the virus and end up spreading the virus unknowingly.
He further added that, wearing of nose masks should be encouraged in Ghana as it was in China. “The World Health Organization has already provided their views on the issue. They encourage the use of nose masks whether one is infected or not. The Chinese enforced it because some people may have the virus but may not show the symptoms and end up transmitting it in a community setting.”
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“Don’t discourage those wearing the masks in any way and we should also learn how to properly wear the masks without contaminating them. These are some basic things the Chinese government put in place to ensure our safety,” he stated.
The dialogue was facilitated by Happy98.9FM’s very own, Samuel Eshun, host of the Happy Morning Show and Abedi Anim of Net 2 TV.
Panelists for this insightful discussion were H.E. Edward Boateng, Ghana’s Ambassador to China, Dr. Ama Edwin, a Physician Clinical Psychologist and Bioethicist at the University of Ghana Medical Centre, Mr. Abu Osuman; Minister Counsellor, Embassy of Ghana Beijing -China, Mr. Sampson Opoku, PhD Candidate and NUGS Chapter President, Wuhan-China and Miss Gloria Akpabla, Women’s Commissioner, NUGS China.
By: Joel Sanco