The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) coronavirus death toll is now at 4.

This was disclosed in a statement by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the GMA.

According to the statement signed by President of the GMA, Dr Frank Ankobea and General Secretary of the GMA, Dr Justice Yankson, the Association said: “The first of our fallen colleague was Prof Jacob Plange-Rhule (Consultant Physician and former Rector Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons) who has subsequently been buried.”

Specialiast Pediatrician and Medical Superintendent at the SDA Hospital, Kwadaso in the Ashanti Region, Dr Harry Boateng, Retired Orthopedic Surgeon Dr Emmanuel Twagireyesu, and Consultant Surgeon at the Trust Hospital in Accra, Dr Richard Kisser all lost their lives to the deadly virus.

The GMA noted that, “These fallen heroes have contributed immensely to the medical profession and their untimely demise constitutes a big loss to the fraternity.”

The GMA enunciated that “over 150 medical doctors and dentists have been infected with SARS-COV-2 since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.”

Also, “in view of the unfortunate increasing trend of infections among health workers, all members are encouraged to strictly observe all Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) protocols that we all know very well and stay safe as we battle this pandemic together. Members should consciously ensure their safety at all times in the care of all patients regardless of the point of care.”

It however assured “all members that it is working assiduously to ensure the concerns about inadequate PPEs, delays in testing and other member welfare issues related to COVID-19 are addressed by government and will not relent.”

“The GMA together with other health sector unions will soon come out with detailed statistics on COVID-19 among health workers and way forward,” the statement added.