A decision by Ghana’s government to allocate a health facility for the treatment of some Coronavirus patients is causing a stir.
Ghana’s Health Minister Kweku Agyeman Manu had disclosed that the Bank of Ghana Hospital in the capital Accra will be used as a treatment centre for Very Important Personalities (VIPs) who may contract COVID- 19.
“I kept on telling people that the Ministry of Health does not have direct jurisdiction over the Bank of Ghana Hospital.
We have had engagements with the Bank of Ghana and they have released two floors of the BoG Hospital to take care of 20 beds for our use because the facility does not belong to the Ministry of Health.
The Bank of Ghana has agreed that their own people and some VIP personnel will be allowed there.”
At the Bank of Ghana hospital, the bank has agreed in addition to their own staff to have VIP people at their facility – Kwaku Agyemang Manu [Minister of Health] #JoySMS
— Joy 99.7 FM (@Joy997FM) April 1, 2020
Some Ghanaians have taken to social media to question the use of the prestigious bank hospital to treat supposed VIPs who may contract the COVID-19.
Outrage by Ghanaians
According to them this amounts to favouritism at a time when health facilities are not in the best state.
Bank of Ghana hospital to treat only staff and VIPs. Abeg, qualifies as a VIP please? pic.twitter.com/9wBQyQ6mM1
— Dan Kwaku Yeboah (@DKYeboah_) April 1, 2020
Mr President is it true that your minister of health is talking about some VIP testing for the Covid-19 at the Bank of Ghana medical center? If this is true, pls call your minister to order immediately for making such an irresponsible and reckless comment.
— Darius Simon (@DariusS59032777) April 1, 2020
COVID-19
Bank of Ghana hospital designated for VIP treatment/cases ?
No wonder.
They always think about themselves not the masses
mmtcheeewww ?— Dave (@Dave06573662) April 1, 2020
It’s now time for all Ghanaian government officials to go abroad for medical check-up.??? Now they are resorting to Bank of Ghana hospital as VIP center for Vivid 19. Even in this time they are thinking about themselves VIP. They will rather die there. Wicked and evil people.
— Efo Kodzo Ashiagbor (@KAshiagbor) April 1, 2020
Bank of Ghana and VIP people. Who are those VIP people. are some lifes important than others, Meanwhile its our money they used in building that hospital. Hmmm Ghana @Citi973 @Joy997FM #LockdownGhana
— Sir Ernie (@Sir_Ernie_ppgh) April 1, 2020
True leaders sacrifice just so their subjects can live but, in Ghana it’s the other way round… Even in these difficult times, our leaders have become so selfish and self centered.
Fuck that VIP bullshit, if you go die you go die, it doesn’t matter where you get treated.
— Francis Yaw Gidiga Alfafa (@alfafa_GH) April 1, 2020
Meanwhile the bank has reacted to the development saying in a statement that the facility is available to all Ghanaians.
The bank of Ghana issued a statement to address the earlier
comments about their hospital being opened to only staff and VIP, they have made it pretty clear now that the facility is available to all – @konkrumah (Minister for Information) #PointofView— Citi TV (@CitiTVGH) April 1, 2020
As at April 1 Ghana had recorded thirty four more cases increasing the tally to 195.
Some of the patients have been discharged from quarantine but five deaths have so far been recorded.
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Source: Africafeeds.com