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The Ebola scare: Is the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research up to the task?

The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (N.M.I.M.R) is one of the most reputable research organisations in Ghana. However, the question that is on the lips of most discerning Ghanaians today is whether it is up to the task of  examining  the blood samples of suspected persons to determine whether or not they are carrying the deadly Ebola virus.

Does the institute have the requisite modern machinery and equipment and the qualified staff to carry out the tests? Also, as an institute that is reported to be under the Ministry of Health, does it have the autonomy to carry out its mandate?

These questions have arisen because some Ghanaians are taking the results that are reported to be coming from the N.M.I.M.R on blood samples sent there from persons suspected to be showing symptoms of the Ebola disease, with a pinch of salt.

Negative test results 

The last straw that broke the camel’s back was the recent negative test result issued on blood samples that were taken from two persons who were on admission at a health facility at Kasoa.  We learnt that a medical officer had invited some pressmen around to look at two patients on admission, who were showing all the symptoms of the Ebola disease. The medical officer had indicated that there was the need for the N.M.I.M.R to conduct a test to confirm whether his fears were right or not. Right from the time the blood samples were sent, people were skeptical about the test results which they suspected might be negative as had always been the case with earlier blood samples sent there. It was, therefore, not surprising when the results were negative.

One serious fact is that, whether we like it or not, four neighbouring states have had serious cases of the disease and that due to the porous nature of our borders, it is possible that people from these affected nations who might harbour the virus might enter the country. It is for this reason that we hear that so much is being spent to establish centres to examine people who enter the country. 

Effective monitoring 

Whether or not we are able to effectively monitor the influx of people from these neighbouring countries is another issue when we consider the recent complaint of political party officials who went to monitor the recent limited registration exercise in towns and villages near the borders. They alleged that apart from the numerous unapproved routes, there were virtually no security officials manning most of the approved ones.

While we continue to ponder over the ability or otherwise of the N.M.I.M.R to conduct tests on blood samples of persons suspected to be carrying the Ebola disease, the questions that come to mind are the following?

a)In the few cases referred to the N.M.I.M.R that were found to be negative, what other diseases were the persons suffering from? 

b)Can the Ministry of Health tell Ghanaians what has happened to those people whose blood samples sent to the N.M.I.M.R and tested negative?

c)What does the nation stand to gain if we continue to show that the people of  this country, unlike those of  its affected neighbours, are immuned from the Ebola disease as tests so far conducted seem to suggest? And what effect will that have on our  educational drive to get people to do what is right to avoid getting the disease?

What Ghanaians are praying for is a well-resourced N.M.I.M.R that has the right calibre of staff to conduct professional tests on blood samples sent to them so that those who are found to have contracted the deadly disease will be treated in the right way. Ghanaians do not require the N.M.I.M.R to connive with the politicians to sing the tune of government by falsifying test results when the disease is staring us in the face.

 

Writer’s Email: [email protected]

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