The strike by the Health Services Workers Union (HSWU) is hampering COVID-19 Vaccination in the Daffiama-Bussie-Issa (DBI) District. The DBI Health Directorate which has currently run out of stock of the Astrazaneca Vaccines is unable to receive new stock due to the strike. This is causing a delay in the vaccination process in the district.
“We have exhausted [the vaccines] what we took from the regional level. We even requested from them [Regional Health Directorate] because we do not have any vaccines with us now. We were to pick another consignment last week but you know, the strike [by the HSWU] is affecting us somehow. We are currently monitoring the situation,” he explained.
This came to light when the Acting DBI District Director of Health Services, Mr. Clement Akampege spoke to A1radio.
Also very worrying, according to the Acting Director, is the fact that health workers in the DBI area have refused to be vaccinated despite efforts by the Health Directorate. Mr. Akampege mentioned that the Directorate is expecting an authoritative letter that will seek to demand that all health workers take the vaccine before being allowed to work.
“It is not easy to get the people. Even some health staff are refusing to take the vaccines so you can imagine. We are waiting for a letter. When that authoritative letter comes demanding that every health staff takes the jab, that is where we will see,” he said.
Mr. Akampege said while the number of people who are availing themselves for the vaccination could be better, the number is not totally disappointing. He said the DBI Health Directorate is expected to vaccinate some 20 thousand people by close of the year. He also mentioned that so far, there have been no reports of adverse reactions to the vaccines being offered to residents in the area.
A1Radioonline.com|101.1MHz| Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Ghana
