Ghana has recorded its first case of coronavirus in a Psychiatric Hospital in the capital Accra, according to health officials.
The case was recorded at the premium psychiatric health facility, the Accra Psychiatric Hospital after a mental health patient tested positive for Covid-19.
Health officials said the infected patient was a woman who was admitted to the acute care ward of the hospital on April 20, 2020.
She developed symptoms within days of her admission and then tested for Covid-19. She was transferred to an isolation unit on April 23 and her test confirmed positive on April 27.
Human Rights Watch said on Thursday that to prevent further infections, the government should immediately ensure that all psychiatric hospitals in the country test staff and patients.
The organization also asked for the release of as many patients as possible to avoid overcrowding, and ensure that staff and patients have adequate personal protective equipment.
Shantha Rau Barriga, disability rights director at Human Rights Watch said “Despite the best efforts of hospital staff, many patients, staff, and their families are now at risk because they had contact with a patient who has contracted Covid-19.
“Closed settings like psychiatric hospitals act as incubators for the virus. Wherever possible, people with mental health conditions should be allowed to leave if they choose,” Barriga added in a statement released by the rights group.
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Meanwhile mental health experts are worried about the level of discrimination mental health patients suffer in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic.
The said woman who tested positive was refused transfer to the Covid-19 treatment center in the capital because of her condition.
Dr. Akwasi Osei, head of the Ghana Mental Health Authority, said “This is obvious discrimination. If this person didn’t have a mental health condition, she would have been allowed to go to the treatment center.
They are just afraid. But people with psychosocial disabilities should have the same access to Covid-19 treatment as anyone else.”
Ghana has so far confirmed over 2074 cases of coronavirus with deaths now at 17 and over 200 recoveries.
Covid19 Update pic.twitter.com/zICTpJAard
— Ministry of Information (@moigovgh) April 30, 2020
Source: Africafeeds.com
