The Health Sector Unions and Professionals Association has highlighted five flaws in the national response and management of the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the group comprising the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association, the Health Services Workers’ Union of TUC Ghana and the Government and Hospital Pharmacists Association, it will be catastrophic for the country’s health system if these issues persist.

In a statement jointly signed by the Executives of the groups on Thursday, it listed;

“Shortage or inadequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) for health workers in particular

“Periodic shortage or non-availability of essential drugs for case management.

“Reduced testing capacity in the mist of increasing daily count as well as huge delays in getting results for patients (sometimes up to three weeks or more). This situation is not the best, especially with its attendant high risk of viral exposure to both health professionals and the general public at the various health facilities.

“Inadequate human resources for specialist care.

“Inadequate intensive care units or a complete lack of same in a lot of regions.”

The Group has, therefore, called on government to take swift and practicable measures that would prevent the ‘imminent calamitous ramifications’ in Ghana’s fight against the dreadful disease.

It also suggested that government decentralise the disbursement of PPEs to health facilities and also expand Covid-19 testing centres throughout the country to expedite test results.

Adding that, “intensification of Covid-19 preventive and stigma education among the general public.”

Earlier today, the Health Sector Unions and Professionals Association revealed that at least 779 members have so far tested positive for Covid-19.

Breaking it down, it said, 190 members of the GMA, 410 nurses, 156 members of the Health Services Workers Union, and 23 members of the Pharmacist Association make up the number of infected health personnel.

The statement also asked government to reconsider the health personnel who qualify to benefit from the motivational since their checks reveals that majority of the health workers who have contracted the virus are not classified as ‘Frontline Health Worker

All health facilities are highly infectious zones and for that matter anybody working there is in danger,” it stated.

The Unions then called on the public to adhere to all safety protocols adding that "Covid-19 is real."