World Vision Ghana (WVG), an International Non-Governmental
Organisation, has launched Ebola Preparedness Project in Paga, a border
town in the Kassena-Nankana West District of the Upper East Region.
The four months project dubbed; 'The Kassena-Nankana Ebola Preparedness
Project', is to be funded by WVG in collaboration with the Canada Fund
for Local Initiatives to the tune of 172,929 Ghana cedis.
WVG is contributing 53,320 Ghana cedis whilst the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives is providing 119,609 Ghana cedis.
Ms Benedicta Pealore, Upper East Regional Operation Based Team Leader
of WVG, launched the project on behalf of the National Director of WVG,
Mr Charles Hubert.
In a speech read for him, Mr Hubert said fighting a threat like the
Ebola disease demanded strategic interventions in places like Paga,
which was Ghana's entry point for its northern neighbours of Burkina
Faso, Togo, Mali and Niger.
He said although Ghana had not recorded the Ebola disease, there should
not be room for complacency on the part of the Government and all
stakeholders.
Mr Hubert said the four months project was expected to improve the
awareness of community members on the Ebola disease, enhance community
surveillance of suspected Ebola cases and other communicable diseases as
well as help strengthen the capacity building of community health staff
and volunteers to manage suspected Ebola cases.
He said major activities that the project would implement include the
training of 44 selected traditional, religious and community leaders
including women and youth groups and the vulnerable as Ebola Ambassadors
to facilitate education and awareness creation in communities.
“One hundred health workers and 140 volunteers will be trained on Ebola
symptoms, signs and referral systems as well as the management of
suspected Ebola cases. The project will also support health centres,
churches and mosques and community gathering points with hand washing
facilities,” Mr Hubert added.
He disclosed that already the project had procured materials including
10 pieces of non-contact thermometers and 100 pieces each of hand
gloves, face masks and hand sanitizers to facilitate screening.
He said forty-four bicycles, safety boots and touch lights and 90
pieces of hand washing containers, soap and waste bins had also been
distributed to community volunteers, churches, mosques and health
facilities.
“WVG committed 661,250 Ghana cedis to the National Emergency
Preparedness and Response Fund to complement Government and partners’
efforts to prevent, manage and contain the disease. Subsequently WVG has
supported the training of health staff and laboratory technicians on
Personal Protection Equipment use, sample collection, packaging and
transportation.
“ World Vision Ghana has also printed and donated Information Education
and Communication materials to the Ghana Health Service to facilitate
public education,” Mr Hubert said.
Mr George Nonterah, District Chief Executive, lauded the efforts of WVG
and the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives for partnering with the
Government and the district to fight the Ebola disease and appealed to
other stakeholders to join.
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