Norway supports Ghana against Ebola
     

The Norwegian Embassy is supporting World Health Organisation (WHO) with one million dollars to carry out its Action Plan for Ebola preparedness in Ghana.

The support is the first and a third of the required three million dollars needed by WHO to execute the Action Plan for Ebola preparedness in the country.

The Norwegian government has so far supported Ebola affected countries with 13 million dollars to contain the disease.

Ghana needs about GH₵40 million for Ebola preparedness and response.

Signing the agreement with the WHO in Accra, the Norwegian Ambassador Ms Hege Hertzberg said her government is committed to Ghana in its preparedness efforts.

She commended WHO for its coordinating role in the response to the outbreak.

Under the agreement, the embassy would release the funds to augment efforts in Ebola preparedness in Ghana specifically to be channeled into supporting effective coordination of preparedness and response activities; strengthen surveillance, early detection, investigation and reporting.

Further application of the funding would be in the area of strengthening capacity of laboratory diagnosis, case management, contact tracing and infection prevention control in addition to the prioritisation of effective risk information and education interventions.

WHO Representative; Dr Magda Robola, said: “WHO is currently conducting systematically risk assessments to identify preparedness needs in non affected countries as well as enhancing their capacity to effectively respond to an eventual imported case,” she said.

Ghana is at risk of having an imported case due to the fact that it is an international transportation hub hence the reason for national authorities to develop a preparedness plan, which WHO and other partners are helping to implement.

The WHO representative commended the Norwegian Embassy for the financial support.

The Director of Policy Planning Monitoring and Evaluation of the Ministry of Health, Dr Afisah Zakariah said Ghana’s preparedness is ongoing and there is the need for further support to strengthen surveillance systems, train front line health workers in early diagnosis and case management, equip treatment centres and isolation wards as well as public sensitisation.

She said structures have been identified in Kumasi and Tamale and would be assessed and rehabilitated by Ghana Armed Forces to be used as treatment centres.

She said distribution of Personal Protective equipment will start by next week.

The implementation of activities is expected to commence in September and would last for one year.


SOURCE: GNA