How our Ministry has been affected by COVID-19, Ghana-West Africa
Sr. Marie Ritkatmwa Wakdok, OP & Sr. Stella Udeh OP.
St. Anthony Ann Hospital-Donyina
Sr. Marie Ritkatmwa and Sr. Stella shared with us their experience as Health Workers at “St. Anthony Ann Hospital, Donyina.
Coronavirus is a newly identified strain of the virus. SARS-CoV-2 has caused a worldwide Pandemic of respiratory illness, called COVID-19. This disease began from the seafood market at Wuhan, China, in December 2019.
The first two cases of corona virus in Ghana were confirmed on the 12th day of March 2020 when two infected people came to Ghana.
At the peak of Covid19 pandemic, the situation of St. Anthony Ann Hospital was boiling and steaming with the following effects:
- The management held emergency meeting and designed a protocol for prevention, control, and management of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Hospital.
- Low utilization of the Hospital service Cancellation of general staff meetings and social gatherings participated in Zoom meetings.
- Reduction in Patients’ attendance
- Limited interpersonal relationship among health workers and patients/ clients
- Wearing of nose/face mask for prevention
- Frequent hand washing and screening for patients and relations
Physical Impact of COVID-19
- The Hospital channeled its income in providing personal protective equipment (PPE) and in preparing isolation rooms.
- Patients/ Clients’ washrooms were completed immediately for use by them and their relations
- Screening areas were created.
- Printed flyer, posters, signs etc. were placed at strategic places
- Patients and the community have improved on personal and environmental hygiene
Changes in worship
- No public worship
- Prayers and Masses were said in homes and Convent for not more than five people
- Individual Prayers and fasting
- Value for human life is re-enforced
- Acceptance of Supremacy of God by staff, patients, and the community
Psychological Impact on people caused by COVID-19
Some Psychological impact exhibited by some staff and patients/Clients are:
- Anxiety
- Fear of the unknown
- Mental uncertainty
- Frustration and Stigmatization
Financial Impact of COVID 19
Despite the donations of the PPES the facility is spending a lot on these items just to ensure that both staff, patients/clients and members of the Community are protected.
- Depletion of the economy of the Hospital.
- Inflation of PPES’ prices
- Attraction of donations.
- The Hospital received donations from different sources.
CONCLUSION
As a health worker, I see the invasion of coronavirus as one of the outbreaks of diseases that have affected humanity. This virus is so deadly that it has claimed thousands of lives irrespective of class or status -rich and poor alike and is left at the mercy of God.
