The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in partnership with the Ghana Health Service on Monday launched the COVID-19 Critical Case Management Training at the Ghana Infectious Disease Centre (GIDC) in the Ga East Municipality in Accra.

The US Government-funded training comes at a critical time given the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in Ghana. 

Clinicians from each of the 16 regions would receive a four-week intensive, hands-on training on the proper management of COVID-19 severe and critical cases. 

Dr Stephen Dzisi, USAID/Ghana’s Acting Health Office Director, speaking at the opening ceremony reiterated the US government’s unwavering commitment to support Ghana’s COVID-19 response.

“We are proud of our strong partnership with the Government of Ghana to improve the health and well-being of all Ghanaians through a resilient healthcare system. 

“An infectious disease threat anywhere can become a threat everywhere; it is vital that we continue to join forces to fight this pandemic,” he said.

The training would impart skills such as oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation and the management of COVID-19 related complications.  

Clinicians would actively contribute to the management of cases at GIDC and gain essential skills to support their respective region’s COVID-19 response.  

They would receive also an Intensive Care Unit “starter kit,” an essential package of supplies to support their work.

The United States continues to lead the global COVID-19 pandemic response. In Ghana the Agency had provided $19 million in response to the pandemic, which was helping to mitigate the immediate and medium-term effects of COVID-19 on health and basic education systems, the hard-hit private sector, and northern Ghana in particular.  

Other forms of support in the health sector include clinical care and laboratory capacity-building of health staff and disseminating public messages to increase knowledge and awareness about COVID-19 and to address misinformation.  

USAID supports the Government of Ghana to deliver life-saving supplies and commodities across the country including personal protective equipment and essential supplies such as hand sanitisers, chlorine, and Veronica buckets.

By Spectator Reporter