Washing effectively and sanitation practices to survive in COVID-19 – Pandemic
Water and sanitation units
Since COVID-19 was declared as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by World Health Organization (WHO) many research projects are being conducted to understand the different perspectives and dimensions the virus has affected people. Resource Link Foundation (Civil Society Organization) a facilitating partner of CDD Ghana “I am aware project” continued to engage the Afigya Kwabre South District Assembly and had some interactions on the impacts of Covid-19 in the district.
At the data clarification and verification sessions with sectors units in the Afigya Kwabre South District Assembly, and the District Response Team comprising key stakeholders and the sector heads in the Assembly expressed the concerns on the impact the COVID 19 in the District.
Speaking to the District Chief Executive on the relevance of data for ensuring planning in the wake of the Pandemic, The loss of revenue from the central Government and the Internal Generating Funds as major resource base for the promotion of development has become critical in the new normal world as revenue collection has been very slow and low.
It was largely observed that, an extensive work is being done by the Assembly in engaging almost all members of the district to understand and appreciate all relevant protocols or everything they need to know about Covid-19.
There are about 57 communities in the entire district, according the NCCE Commissioner, Mr. Boniface. The NCCE has largely used all communication mediums available in the district to disseminate information on Covid-19 to residents.
All markets have been visited and disinfected as well as for market women to have been taught on how to practice and observe all safety protocols to ensure all market women and buyers are safe. A van has been provided to the commission for a period of three months to facilitate and make their work easier. Mr. Boniface however appealed that since there hasn’t been any sign of outright disappearance of the virus, the government should consider extending the length of release of the van to the commission to ensure continuity in dissemination of information to residents.
The Chief Executive, expressed appreciation to I am aware project facilitating Team – Resource Link Foundation for the proactive approach to supporting the district to sensitize the citizens on the preventive measures protocols with the Media jingle publications as well as sharing the development gaps with various sectors for better decision making to improve livelihoods for all.
On the other discussions, the water and sanitation sectors indicated that, The COVID-19 pandemic is deepening inequalities in WASH, between those with and without access to services, and between those with better and worse levels of service.
That, those without or with low quality services, is less able to implement basic COVID mitigation measures such as frequent hand washing with soap, social distancing and cleanliness. Relief to households is seen more easily extended through utilities to those with relatively better services.
This panel discussion and interactive networking session, focused on experiences during the crisis in low-income country contexts explores how inequalities in water, sanitation and Health (WASH) play out in this pandemic, and said that, today is seen why the SDGs are more relevant than ever and do in the short and medium term.
It was emphasized that, while improving hygiene and practicing social distancing is difficult for many of us, it is harder for people with low service levels, or using communal or shared WASH services. It is a challenge in rural areas and low-income urban settlements and within those areas even more so for women and people with disability.
Measures so far mitigating the challenges of the pandemic, the WASH sector have been focused on waiving bills or providing guarantees against disconnection. Furthermore, a range of hand washing with veronica buckets at stations has been placed, hygiene promotion for hand washing has intensified and soap and disinfectant has been distributed.
In all these, it is realized that If we are determined for reducing COVID 19 gaps, we appeal to Government to priorities household level access much more – in compliance with the SDGs – stop taking limited services as the norm, and seriously invest in high quality well-managed communal facilities for there is no other option.
To curbing the spread of the pandemic, The “I am Aware“ or Resource Link Foundation Team is calling on each other to respect all the safety protocols, stop stigma to ensure people come out for testing and help to managing Pandemic to boast the economy and other livelihoods of all. That, with the relief’s packages to citizens from within and International Partners, much needs to be done to mobilize local resources through Taxation, working on innovation ways to boast the economy.
Taking Action to Address COVID-19 – The health implications
Analyzing the Health data to enhance further discussion for responsive performing to curb COVID -19 challenges, the Director of Health, Mrs.Christiana Kontoh emphasized that Health system strengthening is critical to ensure that, logistics, capacity and all the needed Human resources for the District are given the due consideration
On preparedness for curbing the COVID19, The Health Director stated that a designated room known as ‘a holding room’ has been created at Aduman Senior High School to serve as temporal place to accommodate students who may show signs of the pandemics whiles in school and three (3) trained nurses have been sent to that facility. This was also confirmed by the Assistant Educational Director. Mrs. Christiana Kontoh again added that there are about 23 contact tracers who are helping other health professionals in controlling the spread of the virus. As at 23rd July 2020, the numbers of active Covid-19 cases were 131.
The district health director mentioned that there are about 27 health centers with 7 of them being government health facilities and the rest being private. She mention asserted that, together with other health professionals at the directorate they are doing their possible best in monitoring all health facilities in the district to ensure adherence and conformity to all safety protocols. She added that, they embark on regular visits to these facilities as a way of monitoring what transpires in there and keep educating them on new developments about the virus to increase their awareness. Mrs. Christiana Kontoh commended the government for its support in the fight against the virus acknowledging receipt of PPEs and other logistics.
However she also mentioned these logistics are not sufficient enough so she made an appeal to the government and well-wishers especially CSOs and the private sector to support with the needed infrastructures and other logistics. The marginalized and vulnerable groups’ issues were seen as most critical since they are already in the poverty threshold need and all it takes to solving the COVID 19 challenges. IAA team was appended for the good work to reshaping the development inventions in the new normal world.
Sustaining education of our children amidst COVID-19 fears- A look at Afigya Kwabre South
Integrating COVID 19 prevention and responses into Education program, it is seen that, Education is one of the powerful tools available to prevent and respond to the pandemic. Interviewing the Assistant Educational Director at the updates meetings to affirm the Administrative data from their sector, he mentioned that there is an existing district covid-19 team in which the Educational Director is a member. He mentioned that the team meets and relay the information shared to sub heads for action. He again mentioned that before schools were reopened there was training for all JHS and SHS heads by the District Assembly through the Health Directorate concerning the measures taken against COVID-19, and there is also an ongoing workshop for Directors/ Directorates at Kumasi Anglican School (KASS) for all districts in the region. Mr. Ebenezer Boakye mentioned that the Government as at 23rd July 2020 had provided the directorate with 16721 nose masks, 4547 sanitizers, 290 veronica buckets, 600 liquid soap, 296 tissues and 247 thermometer guns to be given to schools in the district. However, he mentioned that some of this logistics are daily or periodical consumables and appealed to the Government and concerned Civil society organizations and individuals to ensure constant supply to meet the demands of raising Pandemic cases in the District.
According to him, The District has 54 public JHS, 50 private JHS, 2 public SHS and 2 private SHS. Mr. Ebenezer again mentioned that there has been constant monitoring and supervision in all the schools in the district to ensure that are protocols are observed.
Mr. Boakye concluded by commending the government for the good work, and also appealed for more incentives and recognition as frontline workers since they have direct contact with students.
He lamented on the shortage of funds as their major challenge in their daily routine work in the fight against Covid-19, he called on NGOs and philanthropists to offer a helping hand to the government to ensure efficient and effective delivery of service.
Interviewing the Assistant Educational Director, Mr. Ebenezer Boakye
Creating awareness on COVID-19 – National Commission For Civic Education (NCCE)
Mr. Boniface K. Mensah, the NCCE Director added to the interaction appreciating the work of the government and the CSOs for the good work done during this pandemic.
It was reported that there have been daily education and campaigning strategies by use of the Jingle developed by Resource Link Foundation on the measures on COVID 19 with Jingle on the Pandemic and supported with media or community radio stations, the information van given to them by the Government and 3 months fuel subsidy but their concern is how to sustain their work even after the pandemic. So far, the district COVID 19 Response team have visited all the 57 communities with the help of the van and attended various information centers, churches and market places. They are very appreciative to the citizens for their open doors and the district for engaging them in every Assembly gathering.
