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JoyNews investigations have found that people suspected of contracting Covid-19 are being held on the same floor as other patients, including pregnant women, at Korle-Bu University Hospital.
This is the VIP floor of the Maternity Block Accra of the capital’s largest referral hospital.
The reason is simple; Like other hospitals, designated Covid-19 cases are full.
Hospital records show that on February 8, 2021, doctors were treating a patient who was suspected of contracting the virus.
The patient was asymptomatic but had symptoms of fever, shortness of breath, and cough.
The clinical notes of another patient with a suspected case are also read on admission; “The sars-covid-2 test must be performed, the focal person was contacted, reports that they have currently run out of logistics. To restock as they take samples as soon as possible.. “
Another patient with similar symptoms was also admitted to the ward on February 9, 2021. On February 5, 2021, another patient with symptoms such as severe anemia and pneumonia was also admitted to the same ward.
Some staff from the maternity block hospital who spoke to JoyNews on condition of anonymity said the patients were on oxygen when they were brought in.
“Some came with oxygen, but they are a little better. Oxygen has been discontinued. Currently her condition is not so bad, we would say for this patient that we are going to lose her, no. The only problem is that we are still waiting for the test results, ”revealed the staff.
When JoyNews visited the room, the team observed that the VIP room had been divided in two. Patients with suspected Covid-19 cases are treated on one wing, while regular ones are on the other end. The staff described this as extremely risky for patients.
“On the one hand, which is the west, we receive normal cases, and the east is where we have suspected cases, which is very dangerous, but what can we say.
Hospital staff told JoyNews that the most dangerous thing is that they wear only one protective clothing for all clinical inspections. This is due to inadequate personal protective equipment in the maternity block.
“PPEs are not enough, so we are trying to manage them. We are trying to manage. Under normal circumstances, as soon as we enter any room, we must discard everything we are wearing from head to toe. But, when we enter a room, we move to another room with the same PPE ”.
Staff said they have started taking Covid-19 medications to protect themselves and their families from contracting the virus.
“We are already taking some medications. I have prescribed medication for my children and family. We are working on it ”, explained the worker.
They confirmed to the news team that the transfer of these cases to the ward is due to the isolation holding bay being full.
“My concern is that at least we are told if we are using the sixth floor as a waiting place for us to psychologically mentalize. In addition, we need training, we must provide training. Those who care for Covid patients receive special training and those of us in the room have not received any training. How do we care for patients if we don’t have PPE? “
It also indicated that; “I think we need training to take good care of patients. They are our patients, so we can never say that we will not take care of them. “
However, Mustapha Salifu, head of Public Relations at Korle-Bu University Hospital, has denied claims that Covid-19 patients and non-carriers are kept in the same room.
According to him, his detention bays take one suspected case at a time to prevent the spread of the virus. On claims of inadequate PPE, Mr. Salifu said the hospital has enough for staff and patients.
