Health News of Wednesday, 3 December 2014

Source: GNA

Tullow Ghana donates to Ministry of Health

Tullow Ghana Limited (TGL) has presented 10,000 pieces of Ebola Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to the Ministry of Health as its contribution to the preparedness in the fight against the disease.

Mr. Charles Darku, Tullow General Manager who presented the items, said as an organization committed to the well-being of communities in which they operate, Tullow Ghana deemed it appropriate to commit its resources in support of the fight against Ebola.

He expressed the hope that the Ghana Health Service would distribute them to the regional hospitals and Ebola treatment centres.

He said Tullow Ghana would give some of the equipment to teaching hospitals the 37th Military and the Police hospitals.

Mr Darku said rapid response was essential to prevent the disease from spreading and added "This rapid response is essential to prevent the disease from spreading.”

He called for strong leadership and coordination in Ebola response especially with community organizations.

"We know one of the most important elements to containing Ebola is robust community engagement with influential community leaders to fight stigma and utilize communications to advocate safe cultural practices," Mr Darku said.

Receiving the items Dr. Victor Bampoe, the Deputy Minister of Health, thanked Tullow Ghana for providing the items.

Dr. Bampoe said Ebola was causing havoc to the sub-region and that the government’s strategy revolved around three pillars and these are public education, training of health staff and collaboration with private sector partners.

He reiterated government’s call for serious and continuous collaboration with all stakeholders to help prevent the disease and appealed to organizations to support the state’s efforts as one Ebola case in Ghana could cause serious problems.