Medical Association Mourns Four Members Who Died After Contracting COVID-19

The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has expressed deep condolences over the death of four of its members who have died after being infected with COVID-19.

The first is a consultant physician and former Rector of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, Professor Jacob Plange-Rhule, who died in April at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC).

Dr. Harry Boateng, a Specialist Pediatrician and Medical Superintendent at the Kwadaso SDA Hospital was also mentioned.

A retired Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Emmanuel Twagirayesu as well as Dr. Richard Kisser, a Consultant Surgeon with the Trust Hospital were both remembered.

In a statement to pay tribute to the members, the Association described the loss as immense given the medical officers’ contribution and heroism to the medical practice.

“The National Executive Committee of the Ghana Medical Association informs all members with deep sorrow the unfortunate demise of four members of the association who have sadly succumbed to COVID-19 since the outbreak of the diseases in the country. These fallen heroes have contributed immensely to the medical profession and their untimely demise constitutes a big loss to the fraternity. May their souls rest in perfect peace”, the GMA noted.

All members of the Association have also been urged to on Monday, July 6, 2020, to observe a minute silence in honour of these gallant soldiers of the medical fraternity, during their clinical meetings.

According to the GMA, over 150 medical doctors and dentists have so far been infected with the virus.

While assuring members of the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), it has therefore advised its members to abide by the safety measures and observe all Infection Prevention and Control protocols in order to minimise spread among health personnel.

“The National Association Committee of GMA wishes to assure all members that it is working assiduously to tenure the concerns about inadequate PPE delays in testing and other member welfare issues related to COVID-19 are addressed by the government and will not relent.”

President Self-Isolates Over Coronavirus

President Nana Akufo-Addo has begun a 14-day self-Isolation Over coronavirus fears. Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah made this known in a statement dated July 4, 2020.

The statement says the decision is in compliance with coronavirus protocols.

According to the statement, the President has elected to do so after at least one person within his close circle tested positive for coronavirus on Saturday, July 4, 2020.

The name of the person who tested positive was not mentioned.

However, the statement says Mr Akufo-Addo has tested negative but in line with caution, he is self-isolating.

Ghana’s case count push to 20,085

Ghana’s coronavirus case count has crossed the 20,000 mark.

The latest update by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) at Sunday 13:00 GMT shows that 697 new cases have been recorded, pushing the total count to  20,085.

Five more people have succumbed to the disease, making the death count 122. The active cases are 5,093 with the discharges/recoveries count pegged at 14,870.

Regional breakdown

Greater Accra Region – 10,979

Ashanti Region – 4,244

Western Region – 1,729

Central Region – 983

Eastern Region – 798

Volta Region – 362

Upper East Region – 278

Western North Region – 154

Northern Region – 137

Bono East Region – 136

Oti Region – 112

Upper West Region – 55

Savannah Region – 46

Bono Region – 38

Ahafo Region – 26

North East Region – 8