The Ghana Association of Quasi-Government Health Institutions has held a meeting in Tema to discuss the global and national action plan for the prevention of the coronavirus disease also known as COVID-19.

The engagement was also to assess Ghana’s individual health facilities’ preparedness, as well as the role of GAQHI to facilitate that in the various sectors. The coronavirus epidemic has so far recorded over 40,000 cases, and over a 1000 deaths.

The Quasi-Government Health institutions comprise government institutions, agencies and departments that have their main service focus not being on health, but engage in health services activities, like the Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority, Ghana Police Service, the Military, Universities, VRA, Bank of Ghana among others.

Dr. Christian Kofi Amenuveve, President of the Ghana Association of Quasi-Government Health Institutions said there is the need for the public to be educated in preventive measures in the wake of the coronavirus awareness.

“Our membership is strategically located at the various entry points like the sea ports and airports. We also have institutions that receive and send students from abroad. So we have a role to play,” he said.

Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, Head of Disease Surveillance, Ghana Health Service, revealed that 15 cases suspected in Ghana, all proved negative of the coronavirus.

He continued to urge the Ghanaian public to report to the health authorities whenever symptoms of the coronavirus are detected.

“We are looking for fever, cough, difficulty in breathing within patients with a history of travel to the affected countries. We hope to detect the cases early, if any and manage them,” he said.

Dr. Vitus Anaab-Bisi, the General Manager of Health Services, GPHA, called for the Port Health Unit of the Ghana Health Service to be well equipped in the performance of their mandate at the country’s ports.