President Akuffo-Addo has revealed in his fifth address to the nation, Sunday, that domestic production of Personal Protective Equipment for frontline health workers will start on Tuesday.
This, according to him was necessitated by the global shortage of PPE’s and will go in to solidify the country’s measures put in place to contain the spread of the Covid-19 disease for further treatment.
“Government is aware that more needs to be done especially in the face of the global shortage of PPE’s. It is for this reason, the government has actively engaged with local manufacturing companies to assist in the domestic production of PPE’s; and I’m encouraged by the response from the Ghanaian private sector. Domestic production of face masks, head covers, surgical scrubs and guns will commence from Tuesday” he said.
According to the president, some 3.6 million face masks are going to be produced on a daily production output of 150, 000.
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President Akuffo-Addo also said that so far, about 350, ooo masks, 558,650 examination gloves, 1000 re-usable googles, 30,000 cover-alls, 7000 n95 respirators, 5000 waterproof guns, 2000 re-usable face shields, 2000 gallons of hand sanitizers; 10,100 ml pieces of hand sanitizers and 5500 shoe covers have been sent to regional health directorates for onward distribution by district health directorates to be used by various frontline health workers. “The minister for health is ensuring that they reach the health workers” he added.
Insurance Package for Frontline Health Workers
The President also announced some packages that have been arranged for various frontline and allied health workers who are leading the country’s charge against the pandemic.
They include a 35,000 Cedis insurance cover for each health personnel and allied professiional and a daily allowance of 150 Cedis for contact tracers. Additionally, all health workers involved in the fight against the disease will not pay any taxes on emoluments for the months of April, May and June. There is also a 50% allowance on the basic salaries of these frontline health workers each month beginning March to June.
Arrangements For Transportation
One of the issues that has been raised by these frontline workers in the first week of the lockdown has been transportation as many find it hard getting vehicles to their various health centers. To help solve this problem, the president said that there has been arrangements by the Transport Ministry for free Ayalolo bus transportation for health workers in Accra, Tema, Kumasi and Kasoa.
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“The ministry of transport, is also making available, for free, Ayalolo busesto convey health workers in Accra, Tema, Kumasi and Kasoa to and from work along specific routes for the entire duration of the restrictions”.
President Akuffo-Addo also commended operators of commercial vehicles in the country for largely adhering to measures of social distancing in their vehicles.
