COVID-19 pandemic in resource-poor countries: challenges, experiences and opportunities in Ghana

Abstract

The novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, is seen world-wide. In developing countries, adequate health facilities and staff numbers are a concern. Ghana recorded its first 2 cases of COVID-19 on 12 March 2020. On 30 March 2020, a partial lockdown for 14 days was imposed and later extended along with other measures. By the end of the initial lockdown, 19 April 2020, an estimated 86,000 people had been traced and 68,591 tests performed. Of the 68,591 tests, there were 1,042 (1.5%) positive cases, 9 deaths, and 99 recoveries, with Ghana ranked number one among African countries in administering tests per million people. Ghana’s effective track and trace system, as well as lockdown and other measures, have helped limit mortality with only 85 recorded deaths by 23 June 2020. Scientists from three facilities of the University of Ghana have also successfully sequenced the genomes of COVID-19 from 15 confirmed cases, and the Food and Drugs Authority in Ghana have also helped address shortages by fast-tracking certification of hand sanitizers and local production of 3.6 million standardized personal protective equipment. There has also been the development of prototypes of locally-manufactured mechanical ventilators to meet local need at intensive care units. Most people have also resorted to changing diets and the use of supplements to boost their immune system. Although initial results are encouraging, further research is needed to understand the dynamics of COVID-19 in Ghana and provide additional guidance.

Socioeconomic disparity and the risk of contracting COVID-19 in South Korea: an NHIS-COVID-19 database cohort study

“…The higher risk of COVID-19 in the population with lower socioeconomic status is an important finding in developing or low-income countries. In general, the medical and human resources that provide community adaptive systems against contracting COVID-19 during the pandemic are lacking in developing or low-income countries, as reported in Vietnam and Ghana [16,17]. A previous study reported that the social insurance system in low-and middle-income countries typically covered a much smaller share of medical costs than that covered in high-income countries [18].…”

Rapid Assessment of Price Instability and Paucity of Medicines and Protection for COVID-19 Across Asia: Findings and Public Health Implications for the Future

“…We have seen countries in Africa respond to the challenge of lack of ventilators through instigating local design with the help of universities, along with increased local production of hand sanitisers and other preventative measures including face shields and splash masks to reduce the spread of the virus as well as improve management once patients are in hospital (61,94) providing direction to others. Local production of essential preventative equipment is likely to grow across countries to reduce future shortages (61,62).…”

The Impact of COVID-19 and Religious Restrictions on the Well-Being of Ghanaian Christians: The Perspectives of Religious Leaders

“…In Ghana, the president through an Act of Parliament (Imposition of Restrictions Act [1012] of March 2020) imposed a ban on all public gatherings including restrictions on religious gatherings effective on March 15, 2020. On March 30, 2020, a three-week partial lockdown was imposed on three metropolitan areas in three regions-Ashanti, Central, and Greater Accra-which were fast becoming hot spots for the spread of the virus (Afriyie et al, 2020;Amewu et al, 2020). The ban on religious gatherings was nationwide (Ministry of Health, n.d.) and unprecedented (Boaheng, 2021).…”