US$3M Needed for Coronavirus Preparedness -Health Min. Announces Early Warning Tips

By Sallu K. Swaray

The Chief Medical Officer at the John Kennedy Memorial Medical Center and Deputy Minister for Preventive Service at the Ministry of Health and Social Service, Dr. Francis Ketteh says US$3 Million Dollars is needed for Coronavirus emergency preparedness in Liberia.

Appearing Thursday before the House Plenary, Mr. Ketteh said the government must be able to provide the amount so that the ministry can put in to place the necessary mechanism that should better upbeat the Ministry in readiness in the case of any eventual outbreak of coronavirus in the country.

He told lawmakers of the House of Representatives that the Health Ministry has already begun to carryout inventory, while the Ministry will also need to recruit about 34 surveillance officers, two surveillance focal point persons; and equip its 852 facilities in the various counties.

Mr. Ketteh said he has already submitted the proposed budget of US$3 million as emergency preparedness against coronavirus to the government through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.

“I expect and do believe the government will approve the said amount that we have requested for,” he said.

Dr. Ketteh said, “We want to begin the process of carrying out hygiene awareness and safe keeping methods to the people, including hand-wash, the used of sanitizer or the use of chlorine wash hands with chorine and soap in the various communities, throughout the length and breadth of the counties including Montserrado County to avoid getting in contact with the coronavirus.

The Chief Medical Officer of JFK said they have started taken inventory in the various counties to see if whether they have PPE, Gloves and chlorine, saying that the Health Ministry already has 112 health officers in 193 health Districts in the various counties.

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