News
Wearing gloves not a substitute for hand washing – Health minister
The wearing of gloves have become increasingly common in various settings, including healthcare, hospitality and even in public places as a perceived means of protection against germs and diseases.
However, the Minister of Health, Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, at the commemoration of the World Hand Hygiene Day (WHHD) on Monday, he said wearing gloves was not a substitute for proper hand hygiene practices.
Although gloves were indispensable in clinical care, the Health Minister stated that hand washing was the safest and effective way to protect public health and prevent the spread of infections.
Mr Akandoh gave the reminder when Ghana joined the rest of the world to commemorate World Hand Hygiene Day (WHHD).
The day, which was celebrated on the theme: ‘It might be gloves, it’s always hand hygiene,” is aimed at underscoring the importance of proper hand hygiene, especially in healthcare settings over the reliance on gloves.
“Hand hygiene is a simple, low-cost, yet extraordinary powerful intervention that saves lives, reduces healthcare-associated infections and protects both patients and healthcare providers,” Mr Akandoh explained.
He said consistent practice is essential- from both top administrator to frontline staff. He also called the public to adopt hand hygiene as a lifestyle.
“Importantly, we have set a bold target: by 2026, all regional and teaching hospitals in Ghana will routinely monitor hand hygiene compliance and provide regular feedback as an integral part of their quality frameworks,” he added.
Mr Akandoh further indicated that the Ministry was committed to ensuring sustainable hand hygiene infrastructure across all public health facilities and support local production of affordable hygiene products.
He said his outfit will also promote waste management systems aligned with environmental sustainability principles and encourage health training institutions to prioritise hygiene in their pre-service curricula.
Again, He called on Ghanaians and healthcare providers to extend hygiene education beyond hospital walls into homes, schools and communities to nurture a lasting culture.
In a message delivered on behalf of the World Health Organisation (WHO), the representative, Dr Fank Lule, said healthcare workers play a critical role in preventing the spread of pathogens and Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) by adopting and practicing frequent hand hygiene as part of their routine work.
He also indicated that evidence suggests about 70 per cent of health care workers do not routinely practice hand hygiene and yet studies have shown that practicing routine hand hygiene achieves a reduction in healthcare associated infections.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
Management and staff of Owass FM have announced the passing of media personality, comedian and politician Seth Kwame Dzokoto following a medical emergency during a live morning show discussion at the station earlier today.
According to the station, Dzokoto was participating in a panel discussion on its morning show “Oman Nkoso” when he suddenly took ill and collapsed.
A statement from the station said its team immediately rushed him to the hospital for medical attention, but he was pronounced dead by the attending medical doctor upon arrival.
“We are deeply saddened by this unfortunate incident, which occurred in the course of our regular programming. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, loved ones, colleagues, and all those who have been affected by his passing,” the statement said.
Management acknowledged that information about the incident is already circulating in the public domain, but appealed to the public and colleague media houses to respect the privacy of the bereaved family and refrain from circulating unverified information or speculation regarding the circumstances of his death.
Owass FM extended its heartfelt condolences to the family of Seth Kwame Dzokoto.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The State through the Attorney General (AG) has filed an appeal at the Supreme Court challenging the suspension of the trial in the case of The Republic v Hanan Aludiba and Faiza Seidu.
On Monday, the Court of Appeal suspended the trial in the case. But the prosecution says it has filed an appeal against the suspension order.
According to the update, the law does not allow a criminal trial to be suspended simply because an accused person has complained about some of the charges on the charge sheet, particularly when those complaints were dismissed as meritless.
It argues that if the Court of Appeal’s decision is allowed to stand, no prosecution will ever be possible, since all it would take for a trial to be suspended is an accused person complaining about anything on the charge sheet.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
