Executive Director of the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), Dr Peter Yeboah says the High Dependency Unit (HDU) at the Berekum Holy Family hospital will help manage moderate to severe Covid-19 cases in the Bono Region and beyond.

He explained the unit would also serve and provide a buffer for covid-19 case management in the operational areas.

Dr. Yeboah spoke during the inauguration of the HDU treatment center for covid-19 patients at Berekum Holy family hospital, hitherto managing only mild covid-19 cases.

The HDU was refurbished and equipped by the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) and CHAG's Covid- 19 Response and Institutional Capacity Building (CRIB) Project and funded by the UKAid.

The 10-bed unit facility is stocked with state-of-the-art machines, including a monitor, perfusor, Ventilator, Oxygen concentrator, and Pneumatic compression device.

The unit adds to the two in Bawku in the Upper East region and Akwatia in the Eastern Region under the CRIB project.

Dr. Yeboah stated that to enhance the ongoing covid-19 response and towards pandemic preparedness and readiness, CHAG recognized the need for critical and dedicated special Units at the hospitals to aid segregation and infection control, hence the HDU to complement the efforts of government and other stakeholders in health.

This, he said, will also reduce the economic burden of affected people, especially in the rural areas who would have traveled to other facilities far away when referred.

He added that the choice of Berekum for the Unit is strategic as it would serve patients from Bono East, Ahafo, Savannah, and Western North Regions and the border areas of La Cote Divoire.

Among other projects of CRIB to help the rural communities to stay safe of the covid-19, the Executive Director of CHAG said "we have trained 6,430 health care workers on infection prevention and control, case management, contact tracing, and training".

On her part, the Development Director at the British High Commission in Ghana, Elizabeth Ashley Cadman, who together with the Bono Regional Minister, Justina Owusu Banahene, inaugurated the Unit, urged the staff of the Holy Family Hospital to continue raising the standard of health care delivery services.

She said this could be achieved "by putting the training they receive to practice, diligent maintenance of the equipment at the HDU and work in partnership with local communities and leaders in health promotion".

She also urged the media to work with the government to counteract covid-19 misinformation and with community leaders to mobilize communities to increase the take in vaccines and promote good health.

"As we enter December festive periods, we must all play our parts in averting another surge in covid-19 cases. Get vaccinated now if you have not already done so and encourage your families and neighbors to also get the vaccine", she admonished the people of Berekum and Ghana.

"Observing Ghana's safety protocols by wearing a face mask, frequently washing hands remains key in the fight against covid-19".

The British High Commission Development Director in Ghana reiterated that compliance with the protocols would lead to a low transmission of the virus, protect health services, and put economic recovery on sound footing.

She, however, assured that the UK government would continue to partner and offer support for a strong and prosperous Ghana.