News
The COVID-19 testing controversy in Parliament needless
In the last few days, all 275 Members of Parliament (MPs) and staff of Parliament have been undergoing a mandatory COVID-19 test ordered by the Speaker Mike Oquaye.
As part of efforts to prevent the spread of the dreaded global pandemic in the House, the Speaker last week directed the Medical Directorate of Parliament to conduct the test on all those who work at the legislative wing of the government.
What was envisaged to be a routine test, with the results communicated privately to only the individuals concerned has turned out into a controversy that appears to divide the House on a matter that should have the support of all members of Parliament.
This is a matter that needed a collective approach because the disease is no respecter of status in society. It is attacking and killing everyone so it is surprising that a mere test in the House is generating such controversy.
It is a matter of concern that the House cannot agree on the mode of disclosing the results of the test such that the public is being fed with conflicting results from the test conducted on the staff and MPs
While media reports has it that some MPs as well as staff have tested positive which was collaborated by the Minority Chief Whip, Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka, the Majority Leader, Kyei Mensah Bonsu and the Public Affairs Director of Parliament, Kate Addo, dispute the claim.
According to a statement authored by the Public Affairs Department, “Parliament would like to state categorically that the results of the tests were not yet known and so the report is not true.
“The confidentiality protocol of testing for COVID-19 is that, those who test positive will be called directly by the testing team and taken through the necessary steps for quarantine and treatment. Officially Parliament is unaware of any such call and has no official figures from the National COVID-19 response team.
So what is really the beef? While the Speaker of the House is of the view that public disclosure of the test results has the potential of fuelling stigmatisation other members’ some think otherwise.
That is what had led to the public spar and led to a needless public discussion that is unnecessary. While we do not support those who advocate public disclosure of the health status of individual concerned, i do not think that it is also helpful to prevent individuals to freely divulge their health status to the public.
The Ghanaian Times recalls that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the First Lady, Rebecca and Former President Jerry John Rawlings as well as many prominent citizens at different times willingly disclosed their COVID-19 status. The public is fully aware of their status and we think it will send a good signal to the citizenry to follow.
It is, therefore, baffling that our MPs cannot find a common ground to deal with the results of their COVID-19 test in the House. We are not the ones to tell them what to do but we would have appreciated it if they had followed the examples of prominent people around the globe who had no problem with disclosing their COVID-19 status.
The MPs are role models and public figures many look up to and it is important that they exhibit exemplary leadership and show the way for many who look up to them to follow.
Allowing the public know about their COVID-19 status would encourage people to go for voluntary tests and not be afraid to disclose the results because no one would stigmatise them.
We are encouraged by the MPs and we commend them for going through such an important exercise at this crucial time as we battle the global pandemic which we believe would send a strong signal to the general public to continue to observe the health protocols that are vital for the fight against COVID-19.
A Public Health Nurse at the Roman Ridge Sub-Municipal of the Ayawaso West Health Directorate, Ms Patience Adoli Kporxah, has cautioned the public against coming into contact with floodwaters, warning that exposure can lead to serious diseases, infections and injuries.
Floodwater, she said, should always be treated as contaminated, regardless of how clean it appears, because it may contain sewage, human and animal waste, chemicals, fuel, sharp objects and disease-causing micro-organisms.
In an interview with The Spectator in Accra on Thursday, Ms Kporxah explained that contact with contaminated floodwater exposes people to bacteria, viruses, parasites, hazardous chemicals and other physical hazards that can result in illness or injury.
Her advice came in the wake of recent exposure to floodwater following Monday’s torrential rains that left vast areas of the capital flooded.
As a result, a lot of people were seen either ‘swimming’ in the floodwater to rescue people or retrieving items being washed away.
According to her, exposure to floodwater could cause skin infections, particularly where there are cuts or open wounds, as well as diarrhoea diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery and other forms of gastroenteritis if contaminated water was swallowed.
Other health risks, she said include hepatitis A, eye and ear infections, tetanus in people with untreated wounds or incomplete vaccination, and injuries from submerged sharp objects, debris or electrical hazards.
Ms Kporxah advised anyone who had contact with floodwater to monitor their health closely and seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms such as fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, severe headache, muscle aches, skin rash, difficulty breathing, or yellowing of the eyes or skin.
She also urged people whose wounds became red, swollen, painful or begin to discharge pus, as well as those who accidentally swallow floodwater, to report to the nearest health facility without delay.
Although not everyone exposed to floodwater requires immediate treatment, she stressed that pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems, individuals living with chronic illnesses and those with significant wounds should seek prompt medical evaluation.
On water safety, Ms Kporxah cautioned that rainwater was not automatically safe for drinking or cooking, especially during or after flooding. She explained that rainwater collected from roofs, gutters or open containers could be contaminated by bird and animal droppings, dust, leaves, bacteria, viruses, parasites and chemical pollutants.
She advised that rainwater intended for drinking should first be treated by boiling, chlorination or another approved water purification method before use.
Touching on food safety, Ms Kporxah said factory-sealed bottled drinks and canned foods with intact packaging might still be safe after flooding.
However, she stressed that any containers submerged in floodwater should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before handling. Foods in paper packaging, damaged containers or products with broken seals should be discarded because contaminated water may have seeped into them.
She further warned that flooding increases the risk of outbreaks of cholera, typhoid fever and other waterborne diseases through contaminated water sources.
In addition, she said flooding could contribute to respiratory illnesses in overcrowded shelters and mould-infested buildings, foodborne illnesses from spoiled or contaminated food, and mental health conditions such as anxiety, stress, depression and trauma.
It could also disrupt access to medicines and healthcare for people living with chronic conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, asthma and kidney disease.
Ms Kporxah therefore urged the public to practice good hygiene, avoid unnecessary contact with floodwater, consume only safe food and drinking water, and seek medical attention promptly whenever symptoms develop.
She said observing these preventive measures would help minimise the risk of disease outbreaks and protect lives as the country continues to experience heavy rains and flooding in some communities.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
The Executive Director of DAD Micro-Credit Limited (MCL), Mrs Christiana S. Dzitse-Awuku, has called for urgent and collective action to prevent the recurring loss of lives and destruction caused by flooding during the rainy season.
Reacting to the devastating effects of last Monday’s heavy rainfall in parts of the country, she expressed condolences to families who lost loved ones and sympathised with residents whose homes, businesses and livelihoods were affected.
In a statement signed by Mrs Dzitse-Awuku and copied to The Spectator in Accra on Friday, she said although rainfall was a natural occurrence, the destruction associated with it was largely preventable.
According to her, DAD Micro-Credit Limited provides financial support to owners of small and medium scale enterprises, the majority of whom are women.
She noted that the recent heavy rains have significantly affected these businesses, resulting in many clients losing their capital and facing challenges rebuilding their livelihoods.
She noted that clogged drains, indiscriminate dumping of refuse, poor drainage infrastructure, and buildings constructed on waterways, and disregard for environmental and planning regulations had worsened the impact of heavy rains over the years.
“This is a wake-up call to all of us. The responsibility does not rest solely on government institutions. It is a shared duty,” she stated.
Ms Dzitse-Awuku urged citizens to desist from dumping waste into drains, maintain clean surroundings, and comply with environmental and planning regulations to reduce the risk of flooding.
She also called on the relevant authorities to intensify efforts to desilt drains regularly, remove unauthorised structures obstructing waterways without fear or favour, and strictly enforce city planning laws.
According to her, investing in preventive measures would save lives and reduce the enormous cost of rebuilding communities after disasters.
She appealed to government, local authorities, traditional leaders, civil society organisations and all Ghanaians to work together to build safer, cleaner and more resilient communities.
Ms Dzitse-Awuku stressed that the country must not wait for another rainy season to revisit the same challenges, emphasising that every life lost to flooding was one too many.
She offered prayers for bereaved families and those who had lost their homes and property, expressing hope that the nation would be spared further tragedies.
“The Ghana we develop today will be our safe haven tomorrow,” she stated.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
