A CASE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE HOSPITAL AND INSTITUTE FOR GHANA
In recent decades, emerging epidemics and pandemics have been recurring globally, and Ghana has not been spared. Even when we have not been hit by any of the conditions, we have been forced to initiate both preventive and clinical case management interventions in anticipation. From the outbreak of Human Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (H5N1) among poultry (Bird Flu) and among humans, causing Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003, through the Swine Flu scare (H1N1) in 2009, influenza A (H7N9), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) in 2012, Ebola in 2013-2015, to the current coronavirus epidemic in 2020, the international community, and Ghana, in particular, has been on the alert putting together many interventions to address the challenge. In all these situations, whether in poultry or other animals, preparations have had to be made for possible human infection, either human to human or animal to human and more importantly its containment.
Ghana’s responses to public health emergencies, though admirable and reasonably good, are repeatedly characterized by challenges with: prompt fund mobilization, rapid initiation of responses, efficient multisector collaboration and coordination, capacity for large-scale containment, and case management, amongst others. In addition, it is on record that, globally, many health care officials as well as others involved in the responses have succumbed to the infections. Coupled with these outbreaks is the emergence of multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis and other endemic infectious conditions of epidemic potentials. It is obvious that Ghana currently does not have a well-equipped facility to provide quality comprehensive case management (including barrier methods, isolation, and treatment) to adequately prevent nosocomial infections and protect health officials and others involved in its public health emergency responses.
Informed by past and current experiences of Ghana, in responding to public health emergencies of pathogenic infectious origin, it is the considered opinion of the Ghana Public Health Association (GPHA) that now is the time for Ghana to take a proactive stance to address the recurrent challenges and ensure future capability to provide quality comprehensive case management. To this end, the GPHA calls for an investment in the construction of a specially designed National Infectious Disease Hospital/Institute, which has the technical, infrastructural, and equipment capacity to manage such highly infectious illnesses such as Ebola, SARS, MERS as well as other Human Influenzas, other coronaviruses and pathogens which are bound to emerge in the future, looking at the global picture. Such a facility can also serve as a center for research and the training of infectious disease specialists of all categories.
The GPHA is convinced that the technology is available and at an affordable cost to the nation, for such a venture to be carried out. As part of a holistic preparedness and response to these emerging health threats, the GPHA makes this case for the construction of a National Infectious Disease Hospital/ Institute for Ghana.
Official document :
GPHA 