Korle Bu Teaching Hospital demonstrates Ebola preparedness

A simulation exercise to test Korle Bu Teaching Hospital’s (KBTH) preparedness to handle Ebola cases was held at the Medical Unit of the hospital yesterday.

The exercise, which lasted for about 15 minutes, depicted how health workers should promptly respond to suspected Ebola cases.

It further brought out the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the management of the disease and the essential use of non-contact thermometer to test suspected patients.

Another factor which was prominent in the exercise was the importance of disinfecting areas that had come into contact with Ebola patients to prevent further spread.

Chief of Staff

The Chief of Staff, Mr Prosper D. Bani, who witnessed the exercise, commended the hospital for its high level of preparedness. 

According to him,  the facility has demonstrated that it is adequately prepared to handle any case.

Mr Bani indicated that the government had put measures in place for any spread of the disease to the country.

He, however, called on all to intensify efforts to ensure that the disease was not recorded in the country.

Observations

The Minister of Health, Dr Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah, explained that such mock exercises were aimed at helping to identify gaps for corrections.

He commended the staff of the hospital for their dedication.

The acting Chief Executive Officer of Korle Bu, Dr Gilbert Buckle, said systems had been put in place to ensure that the hospital was adequately prepared to handle any case.

The Director of Medical Affairs at the hospital, Dr Samuel Asiamah, said the staff of the hospital had been sensitised and trained on how to handle any case at the hospital.

After the exercise, the Chief of Staff, accompanied by some management staff of the hospital, inspected a plot of land on which an Isolation Centre would be set up.