The Emergency Medicine Society of Ghana wants the Ministry of Health to set up emergency medicine units in hospitals nationwide.

Its Acting President, Dr Daniel Osei-Kwame, believes it will reduce preventable deaths and disabilities due to delayed emergency care interventions.

He spoke during a press briefing in Kumasi as part of activities to mark World Emergency Day on May 27, 2020.

“The preventability of many critical injuries and illnesses leading to untimely deaths may be within the reach of the country if efforts are geared towards the building and maintenance of effective and robust emergency systems across the country.

“EMSOG will, therefore, like to urge the Ministry of Health, GHS, CHAG, teaching hospitals and facility managers to prioritize the setting up of emergency medicine departments and units across Ghana to reduce preventable deaths and disabilities resulting from the lack of timely emergency care interventions,” Dr. Osei-Kwame said.

Emergency medicine encompasses both pre-hospital and hospital care of the acutely injured or ill person.

It involves provision of urgent as well as emergent care to patients.

The introduction of the International Emergency Medicine Day into the world calendar seeks to highlight the efforts of gallant emergency care workforce renders to patients in distress.

They are mostly the first line of contact and regularly provide the first ray of hope to patients, many of whom would otherwise give up.

It is in recognition of the need for awareness of and establishment of a developed, structured and well -organized emergency medical systems worldwide.

The European Society for Emergency Medicine (EUSEM) instituted Emergency Medicine Day, to be observed every 27th of May.

The local society and its global partners joined hands this year to celebrate its first Emergency Medicine Day under the theme: "A Beacon in the Dark"

Dr. Osei-Kwame is worried inadequate of personal protective equipment at the various health facilities is thwarting efforts to dealing with Covid-19

He hopes government’s measures to curtail the spread of the disease would be backed by science.

“The spread of COVID-19 has significantly exerted its toll on our health system, with reported widespread shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and rationing of the same amongst many health care workers. We, therefore, urge the government, through the MOH and its agencies like the GHS, CHAG, etc. to as a matter of urgency procure and supply the necessary PPE for the army of health professionals battling this pandemic on various fronts,” he said.

“We ask the government to continue to let science take preeminence in guiding the nation out of this pandemic. Also, the public should observe cough and sneeze etiquette, wearing masks and social distancing protocols advocated by the Ministry of Health,” Dr. Osei-Kwame emphasized.

The society launched its new website and modalities for membership, sponsorship, and partnership.