Lectures have temporarily been suspended at all health training institutions across the country as Ghana steps up efforts to contain the deadly novel coronavirus imported into the country.
Trainees are however to remain on their various campuses until otherwise directed by the Ministry of Health, a statement issued by the Ghana Nurses-Midwife Trainees’ Association (GNMTA) Monday announced.
The various institutions have meanwhile been asked to ensure strict measures are put in place “to prevent movement of students in and out of the various campuses to ensure containment”.
All activities of GNMTA have also been suspended until further notice
The GNMTA is also asking government to provide personal protective equipment at the various health facilities to ensure safety of student nurses and midwives.
“In the event of unavailability of these logistics, we strongly advice our student nurses and midwives to leave coronavirus isolation units,” it advised.
It explained the move was a precautionary measure being taken to complement the national plan to prevent the six confirmed covid-19 cases in the country from spreading to other people.
The GNMTA secretariat underscored the need to provide hand sanitizers at public places such as banking halls, hospitals.
“The National Executive Board will continue to use the most appropriate bureaucratic and suitable means to seek lasting solutions to the concerns of all Trainee Nurses and Midwives across the length and breadth of Ghana. All members are to adhere strictly to the precautionary measures.
Ghana’s initial confirmed two cases on March 12 shot up to six on March 15, triggering sweeping precautionary measures by the government and health authorities to contain the disease which has become a global crisis.
All the patients, according to health authorities, have been quarantined and are in a stable condition.
The president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo , on Sunday night announced a shutdown of all schools, both public and private, in Ghana on the back of the pandemic which has caused many countries to either limit or ban travels and closed their bodies.
“The Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications has been tasked to roll out distance learning programmes,” President Akufo-Addo said.
Candidates for the upcoming Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE) and West Africa Senior Schools Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) will, however, be allowed to attend school to prepare but with prescribed social distancing rules.
President Akufo-Addo also announced a ban on all social gathering including church services, funerals, political rallies and sporting activities for the next four weeks.
But gatherings of not more than 25 persons may be permitted burial services.
Shopping malls, markets, night clubs among other suchlike establishments are to observe enhanced hygiene procedures by providing, for instance, hand sanitisers and soap with running water.
Workers will also continue to go to work but “should observe prescribed social distancing between patrons and staff”.
By 3news.com|Ghana