The private sector-led initiative to combat the novel coronavirus – the COVID-19 Private Sector Fund, plans to construct a 100-bed COVID-19 treatment and isolation facility to complement government efforts to contain the virus, and that is really welcome news in view of the increased number of infected cases recorded over the Easter break.
The treatment and isolation facility is scheduled to be completed three to six weeks after construction begins, and has become necessary since the number of infected cases has spiked considerably from a little above 400 cases to over 560 cases and counting.
Managing Trustee of the Fund, Senyo Hosi, briefed members of the inky fraternity about the facility and indicated that preparations toward commencing the project are far advanced.
Senyo Hosi told the media that the commencement meeting took place last week, and saw architects and engineers from the Built Environment Professionals (BEP), Ghana Institute of Architects, Ghana Institute of Surveyors, the Ghana Armed Forces Engineers Regiment, Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service, and a team of medics in attendance.
The COVID-19 Private Sector Fund seeks to raise a minimum of GH¢100million to support government’s efforts to conquer the coronavirus pandemic; and the Fund also seeks to extend relief services to individuals and families who have been hardest hit by the pandemic.
Mr. Hosi is therefore appealing for the public to contribute to the Fund and enable it to achieve its objective of supporting total containment of the disease. The initiative is a good complement to government’s multi-faceted efforts at both containing spread of the virus as well as bringing relief to Ghanaians affected by the partial lockdown being implemented by the state.
Such initiatives will go some way to complement government’s effort to bring relief for Ghanaians who are afflicted by the onslaught of this novel virus that has brought humanity to its knees. The country’s health facilities will soon be stretched if the pandemic reaches its peak as expected in the coming months, and it is proper that all efforts be mobilised to deal with it.
With the benefit of hindsight, we are able to learn useful lessons that others around the world are employing to contain spread of the virus. While government is working its socks off trying to procure an adequate number of ventilators and testing kits, it is gratifying to learn the private sector is gearing up to provide an isolation facility.
We believe the private sector’s effort must be replicated by well-meaning and endowed Ghanaians globally. That way, we are sure to have the virus within grips.
