Protect Our Health Workers; Avoid A Third Coronavirus Wave - Prof. Osafo Urges

Senior Psychologist at the University of Ghana, Professor Joseph Osafo has advised Ghanaians to heed the advice of the Ghana Medical Association.

The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has asked Ghanaians to adhere to the COVID-19 health protocols during the Easter festivities to prevent the spread of the virus.

The Association said; “The pandemic is still a major health threat and we urge all to strictly observe all COVID-19 preventive measures, such as social distancing, use of facemasks, hand washing under running with soap, and use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers”.

This was in a joint statement signed by Dr Frank Ankobea, the President, GMA, and Dr Justice Yankson, the General Secretary, GMA.

The GMA cautioned Ghanaians to avoid mass gatherings “such as church conventions, picnics, beach parties, and other forms of celebrations usually seen in the Kwahu enclave”.

The Association wished "all Ghanaians a happy Easter. Let us celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ with caution at this time of global health pandemic''.

Speaking on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo'', Prof. Joseph Osafo also urged the citizenry to continue observing the preventive protocols.

He asked Ghanaians to obey the GMA caution because they protecting themselves against the disease also helps to safeguard the frontline health workers since the sight of losing souls has pyschological effects on the health workers.

"It leads to moral injury. Moral injury means your conscience is hurt...If the doctor or health worker sees people dying helplessly, it breaks them. They get traumatized, morally injured," he stated.

He added; ''Your action contributes to the survival of the health workers. If you lose guard and contract the disease, you have to be sent to them because it is morally offensive to be infected with the disease and we don't send you to the hospital. It's a blot on our conscience. When you're sent to the hospital, is it monkeys going to attend to you there? It's humans!"

''You don't lose anything in getting a bit cautious. Don't be scared but be cautious," 
he stressed.