Mass immunization campaigns in Ghana, like many essential health services elsewhere, have significantly slowed down during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In collaboration with WHO, health authorities are now reviving and reinforcing essential services to not only better withstand disruption in case of a new COVID-19 wave, but also to improve quality. The latest rounds of polio vaccinations carried out in October were scheduled for April and May but were shelved in the face of rising COVID-19 cases that overstretched the health system, prompted movement restrictions and a ban on mass gatherings.
To safely resume the mass immunization drive, vaccinators were trained on COVID-19 prevention, provided with personal protective equipment and hand sanitizer.
Meanwhile, measures to limit COVID-19 transmission are also being implemented in hospitals and health centres as key services are ramped up. In health facilities pre-triaging spaces have been set up to screen patients before being allowed to seek consultation to mitigate the risk of exposing the patients and health workers to the virus.
Collaborating with WHO, Ghana has worked to steer essential health services back on track. Adapting WHO guidance, the country has developed a national plan for the maintenance of essential health services and identified key services that must be provided during the pandemic.
These services include prevention and treatment of communicable diseases, including immunizations, health services for vulnerable populations such as infants and older people, critical care at facilities, emergency as well as auxiliary services such as basic diagnostic imaging, maintaining labs and blood banks.
WHO thanks all donors and partners who have contributed to fund the Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan to combat COVID-19. A special appreciation goes to Member States and other contributors who provided flexible funds, making it possible for WHO to deliver a coherent, strategic and broad response.Read more about how WHO is helping restore essential health services in Ghana