In recent months, the media has been filled with report after report of the dreaded Ebola disease. We heard about it in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and most recently, Nigeria. There was a growing concern among Ghanaians as we asked the question "are we prepared to deal with Ebola?

Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Victor Bampoe, a few weeks ago assured Ghanaians that all was well. However, Mr. Samuel Fiafemeti, Head of Port Health at Kotoka International Airport last week, admitted that staff in charge of checking the temperatures of passengers on occasion had vacated their post.

Just recently, Kojo Yankson, Sedem Ofori and Kofi Ansah of the Super Morning Show, travelled to Nigeria to see how they appeared to be winning the fight against Ebola. They returned with some interesting findings. It was observed that long before Ebola hit their shores, the Nigerians knew everything they needed to know about Ebola. The government launched a campaign to sensitize people on Ebola. People who suspected they were sick would sit in their car and call the hospital. When Sawyer arrived and was diagnosed with Ebola, over 300 people were put under surveillance. Only one person decided to evade his surveillance team. At present, there isn't a single Ebola case in Nigeria. People were volunteering in droves to help fight Ebola. Volunteering did not necessarily involve dealing with Ebola patients but could also involve simply standing at entrances to public places and checking temperatures. The average Lagos citizen gets their temperature checked about five times a day. The government was also extremely forthcoming with information. They were open about potential cases. Nothing was a secret, therefore, there was no suspicion. A survey was carried out a few weeks ago where Ghanaians were asked if they would volunteer to help in the fight against Ebola and a majority of respondents said no.

On Wednesday September 24th, it was announced on the Super Morning Show that there was a suspected case of Ebola at Dominase in the Ashanti Region. The doctor said he called the regional office and was told by the district boss that there weren't any. The regional boss, who was standing nearby however said that he had sent some to the district. They then told him to improvise and use surgical scrubs to take the sample. By the time the one PPE arrived, the patient had died. We were told that there are only 4 PPE in the whole Ashanti region.

Are we ready for the fight against Ebola ?

Ghana is supposed to be the source of supplies in the sub region. What does the incident say about our readiness and ability to supply? There are 9000 PPE and 300 thermometers being cleared at customs today. Is there a plan for their distribution?

A plethora of complaints were received saying that the story that was published on the suspected Ebola case was spreading unnecessary fear and panic. We all hope that the results turn out negative. It is no one's desire to be labeled a prophet or prophetess of doom. Ebola or no Ebola, this sheds a gloomy light on our state of preparedness. The public education on Ebola did not start yesterday, last week or last month. It has been going on for a while and we have received repeated assurances from public officials that there is nothing to worry about. Is there really nothing to worry about? Let us see this occurrence as a test or even a fire drill of some sort. Have we passed?

This recent incident leaves a lot to be concerned about. Do people have the right information? Do they know what to do if they suspect they have contracted the disease? How effective has the sensitization by the government been?

The patient came into hospital and they thought he had malaria. How long was he at home with those symptoms before he went to hospital? The hospital has quarantined two of their staff who treated him. Have those who treated him when they thought he had malaria been quarantined? What about the family and the rest of people he came into contact with?
Ebola is an infection. Avoiding transmission is simply about about ensuring that the sick person’s fluids don't get into another person's. Not too long ago, a doctor at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital came out to say that it doesn't surprise him that his fellow doctors would run from any suspected Ebola patient claiming that they had not been trained to effectively deal with the disease. Is it the fault of the government for not providing enough training or should the doctors have made an effort in learning to fight the disease?

Clearly, we don't have or effective systems or sufficient logistics that will allow medical personnel to do their job i.e. PPE. Surveillance is also an issue of concern. The suspected Ebola patient is dead. The medical staff have to rely on guesswork in order to trace other potential carriers.
Ghana Health Authorities need to have a dedicated trained surveillance team that asks the right questions and traces all contacts of suspected Ebola cases. Volunteers could be used for this purpose. The health authorities should also get into the habit of giving more information to the public.
The results from the sample are expected to arrive any day. We all hope it isn't Ebola but even if it is, all is not lost. Nigeria made great strides in fighting the disease by preparing long before the disease hit their shores. As the old saying goes, failing to plan is planning to fail. Has Ghana failed to plan? Has Ghana planned to fail?

God bless Ghana.