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We’ve only 2 ventilators – TTH Director of Nursing Services reveals

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With the increasing news cases of covid-19 and deaths, the only referral health facility in northern Ghana, Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) Intensive Care Unit (ICU) has two ventilators.

The facility recently received 4 from the government but solely for covi-19 patients who may need it in the cause of the treatment at the TTH’S treatment center.
Northern Region case count as at Sunday 21st June, 2020 has increased from 37 to 61 with 32 recoveries and 3 deaths according to the Regional Health Director, Dr John Bertson Eleeza.
Even though none of the patients is severely  ill and may need ventilator, they are fears among health personnel at TTH treatment center they may be overwhelmed.

The hospital is hoping that the covid-19 pandemic will be defeated so that they can add the 4 ventilators to ugment the  two. 

The ideal situation according to the authorities should have been that, at least every wards should have a ventilator but that is not the case now.

Director of Nursing Services, Evelyn Danikuu disclosed this when the Operation Smile Ghana, a charity medical outreach international organization presented 5 patient monitors and Personal  Protection Equipment (PPE) to help  improve the work at theatre and other wards at TTH. 

The 800 bed capacity facility Madam Evelyn said needs more ventilators but is woefully inadequate  currently. 
The items donated to TTH amounted over 24,000 Ghana cedis. 
‘The two are in ICU and if there is a case at surgical ward, they have to move to the  beds at the unit’ Madam Evelyn narrated.

The TTH director of nursing services says the covid-19 came with its challenges and it has compounded challenges facing health facilities and TTH is not exempted. 

She thanked Operation Smile for choosing TTH to support and appealed to other organizations for medical equipment.


Head of health policy at Operation Smile Ghana, Mr Desmond Jumbam  told Zaa News   they are committed in using their  over 30 years’ experience in free medical outreach for  life-saving in the area of  reconstructive cleft surgeries for children across the globe. 

According to him, about 7000 children and adults in Ghana don’t have access to comprehensive health care and they are committed in reducing the numbers.

He called on the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to begin paying attention to cleft  surgical system in the country.

Board member of the Operation Smile Ghana, Mr Henry Quist disclosed that the organization has submitted a request to its headquarters for consideration to enable them procure more medical equipment including ventilators to support hospital such as TTH.
‘We have realized the challenges confronting hospitals the Ghana and we will do our best to support’ , My Quist assured.

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