The Covid-19 pandemic is receiving attention at the 9^th biennial scientific conference of the College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

It is under the theme, "Covid-19, Health challenges for the decade - the role of the health professionals".

A total of 179 oral and poster presentations will be featured.

Some of the papers include: The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Pattern of Maxillofacial Injuries in Children at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and Association between Health Care Workers Compliance to COVID-19 Practices and Perceived Risks of COVID-19.

Epidemiology and Genomic Characteristics SARS-CoV-2 in Ghana, Psychological Correlates of COVID-19 Response among Students: The KNUST Experience and a Study at a Healthcare Facility in Ghana; Evaluation of Workplace Hypertension Prevention and Detection Service in a Ghanaian University and others.

Provost of the college of Health Sciences, KNUST, Prof. Christian Agyare says the conference “affords the college and participants the opportunity to brainstorm together to expand the frontiers of health delivery.”

He adds; “it is important in addressing the challenges posed by covid-19 and other health-related conditions and in achieving the SDGs.”

Speaking on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ellis Owusu-Dabo enumerated the various interventions by the university to curb spread of the virus on the campus.

While commending the government’s vision to start covid-19 vaccine production in Ghana, he expressed the university’s support for the project.

“I cannot conclude my address without commending the government for its initiative to kick-start covid-19 vaccine production in Ghana. Indeed, KNUST management has been contacted to submit a budget for this purpose.

“We have responded by indicating our readiness, availability of facilities, relevant expertise, and other requirements towards this and look forward to working on this great and positive initiative from the Government,” he said.

Government advisor on health, Dr. Anthony Nsiah-Asare encouraged medical practitioners to embrace telemedicine to engage their patients.

He said it is key in curbing spread of infections.

“Social distancing protocols  and patients’ apprehension about seeking face-to-face care in healthcare facilities for non-urgent conditions has made telemedicine the safest interactive system between patients , both infected and uninfected  and health professionals,” he clarified.

WHO representative in Ghana, Dr. Francis Chisaka Kasolo called for a strengthened collaboration in the health sector to combat future pandemics in Africa.

“Collaborations help in addressing a number of things in outbreaks that the health sector alone cannot solve,” he said.