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The US Ambassador to Ghana Gene A. Cretz says United States has committed more than $350 million toward fighting the outbreak in West Africa, an effort according to him involves variety of agencies, including the Department of Defense, the CDC, and USAID.
He said President Obama has made it clear that fighting Ebola is a top national security concern and in Ghana, the United States has dedicated $1.7 million to support the Government of Ghana with its Ebola Preparedness and Response Planning.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency continue to provide personnel and technical assistance here in Ghana and in support of ongoing efforts in the region.
Ambassador Gene A. Cretz made these remarks when he briefed the American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana (AmCham) in Accra.
A statement issued by the Press Attaché, of US Embassy Ghana and copied to the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation,(GBC) said the meeting between the US Ambassador and the AmCham is to discuss ongoing efforts to prepare & plan for any possible outbreak of Ebola in Ghana.
Ambassador Cretz in the statement said the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency continue to provide personnel and technical assistance in Ghana and in support of ongoing efforts in the region.
Adding that “members of our mission selflessly volunteering to rotate into affected areas in order to provide much needed to relief to those working day in and day out to find solutions to this unprecedented epidemic.”
“Many of you have undoubtedly heard that before. If ever there was a time to demonstrate the best that American companies can achieve, the challenge of Ebola is a clarion call. I’d like to thank the American Chamber of Commerce for convening this gathering. I know your companies are eager to make a meaningful contribution to the fight against Ebola. American companies have always been quick to respond in times of crisis, and I know this is no exception. Many of you are already involved in the response, in some remarkable and inspiring ways. I’m eager to hear more about your efforts, later in the program. While the Ebola outbreak represents a clear human tragedy, it also presents a new opportunity for the people of the world to work together, to form new partnerships, and to expand our ability to respond to crisis. I am optimistic that our cooperation in these efforts will make a substantial impact, reducing the spread of Ebola and saving countless lives.” He concluded
Full Statement Below:
Press Release
Press Attaché, US Embassy Ghana
Email: pressaccra@state.gov
Follow us on: @USEmbassyGhana
October 15, 2014
US Support to Ghana for Ebola Preparedness
As President Obama makes clear, Ebola is a top national security priority. “And so it is very important for us to make sure that we are treating this the same way that we would treat any other significant national security threat.
And that’s why we’ve got an all-hands-on-deck approach -- from DOD to public health to our development assistance, our science teams -- everybody is putting in time and effort to make sure that we are addressing this as aggressively as possible.”
In line with this directive, USAID is in the process of re-programming an estimated $1.7 million to support the Government of Ghana with Ebola Preparedness and Response Planning.
This funding will be provided in coordination with other Development Partners, but will largely focus on:
• Training of health personnel in Infection Prevention and Control at national and regional levels;
• Development of job aids for health staff;
• Revision and reproduction of standard operating procedures for various aspects of the Ebola response;
• Support to undertaking simulation exercises at health facilities in targeted regions to test skills and level of preparedness;
• Procurement of supplies for Infection Control and Prevention at health facility level including gloves, chlorine, soap, hand sanitizers, aquatabs, etc.
• Support for the development of Ebola Prevention materials in coordination with the Ministry of Health to be distributed through the Ghana Education Service's School Health and Education Program.
In addition USAID and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) were pleased to facilitate a workshop "Strengthening Detection and Response Capacity to Significant Public Health Events, including Ebola,” from October 7 – 9.
National, regional, district and facility level representatives from all over Ghana, representatives from The Gambia, several USG specialists and a delegation from Nigeria participated in this workshop. The delegation of experts from Nigeria was specifically brought in to share their recent successful experience in containing Ebola.
The CDC and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency continue to provide additional personnel and technical assistance here in Ghana and in support of ongoing efforts in the region.
The US government remains committed to supporting Ghana's preparedness plan and commends Ghana for their proactive leadership and partnership in the fight against Ebola.
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