The Western North Regional Minister, Kinsley Aboagye Gyedu, has urged the private sector to sustain its support to the government in containing the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
He noted, particularly, that continued support from private companies and other benevolent individuals, especially the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE), will contribute to strengthening frontline health professionals in further committing to fight against the disease.
He observed that the region needs the support of these entities to help with preparation toward a possible outbreak of the disease.
Mr. Aboagye Gyedu made these remarks when Chirano Gold Mines Limited presented several essential medical supplies to the region for onward distribution to health facilities.
The items included personal protective equipment (PPE), hand sanitisers, gloves, handwashing buckets, gun thermometers, disposable headgear, disinfectants, and shoe-covers. Also included were respirators, dispensers, face shields, reusable aprons, disposable coveralls, disposable gowns, gum-boots, Wellington boots and sets of goggles, among many other items.
He commended the gesture made by Chirano Gold Mines while calling on other companies in the region to emulate it.
Vice President and General Manager of Chirano Gold Mines, Terence Watungwa, said being a major stakeholder in the region, the mine has a responsibility to support efforts by health facilities in the catchment area to prepare for a COVID-19 outbreak.
He noted that the precautionary measures to contain the spread of coronavirus not only involves Chirano Mines but extends beyond to include host communities and others. In line with efforts to protect the health of workers and host communities, the mine has also instituted some measures.
For instance, some partial restrictions on movement have been instituted for the workforce within the mine site and catchment areas. The mine’s staff who can work from home, he added, have been made to do so; and those whose presence is required on-site are confined to the mine’s catchment area.
Chirano Gold Mines has also put in place medical screening for all persons visiting the site, and the temperatures of workers are checked before they get on buses to work; others not on buses are checked at the entrance daily.
Also, Veronica buckets with soap for handwashing, and hand-sanitisers have been placed at vantage points all over the mine; social distancing is strictly being enforced, while some community services have also been undertaken. He is hopeful that the items presented will go a long way to boost national efforts to curb the disease.
