Not only has the death of physician, Professor Jacob Plange-Rhule shocked the medical fraternity, but losing his life through the novel coronavirus is said to haunt even a number of senior medical practitioners.

For instance, Prof. Fred Binka, Professor of Epidemiology, University of Health and Allied Sciences, says he has yet to come out of the shock, admitting he is worried and depressed by his former colleague’s demise.

Prof. Plange-Rhule, the Rector of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, died at the University of Ghana Medical Centre on Friday morning where he had been receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit after testing positive for coronavirus.

The Ghana Medical Association General Secretary, Dr Justice Yankson told the GNA Prof. Plange-Rhule had an underlying medical condition.

At least three frontline health practitioners including a doctor has contracted the virus in line of duty amidst calls by a section of frontliners demanding that government increase the supply of personal protective equipment.

Meanwhile, Prof. Fred Binga told Abena Tabi on TV3’s Saturday news analysis show, The Key Points, that the death of a man he called a “close friend” as a result of Covid-19 pandemic has put fear in him.

“A very close friend, and we have been working together on some of these issues, including Covid-19, and it really shocked me that he passed on yesterday in the morning. I have not been myself since then.”

The professor of epidemiology conceded, “I am also caught with a lot of fear, I mean, this was a great gentleman and a great physician to have succumbed to this disease is really very worrying and depressing, but the good Lord knows best and may his soul rest in peace.”



Professor Plange-Rhule had extensive experience in research, particularly, among populations of African origin, in the fields of hypertension, cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular disease epidemiology.

As of April 10, 2020 a total of 408 persons have been infected with the disease in Ghana with 4 recoveries and 8 deaths. Globally over 1.7 million have contracted the disease with the death toll crossing 100,000.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization chief has warned that lifting coronavirus lockdown measures too early could spark a “deadly resurgence” in infections.