The Head of Communications and Public Education of Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), James Lartey has confirmed that the agency has recorded thirty-nine (39) Covid-19 cases among its staff for which the needed protocols have been implemented to facilitate their recovery.
According to him, despite the unfortunate development, the FDA shall continue to effectively execute its mandate as a regulatory agency to register and enforce the importation, manufacture, distribution, sales of safe and quality products; especially PPEs, Face Mask, Sanitizers, Medicines, Food among others.
In a statement signed and released by Mr. Lartey, he said “The FDA still holds fast to our motto which says, “’Your wellbeing our priority’, and as such has from the very inception of this pandemic created an in-house covid-19 committee, tasked with the responsibility of ensuring the welfare of FDA staff as well as its clients nationwide, with respect to measures put in place for the prevention and protection against Covid-19”
He further added that the FDA as part of measure of observing directives given by President Akufo-Addo, it has reduced its staff to 25% with a majority of staff working from home as well as initiating a shift system.
The Head of Communications and Public Education also revealed that an online meeting has also been organised to educate its staff nationwide on the necessary protocols to observe in ensuring their safety, colleagues and clients.
The statement also hinted that the FDA has organised a Mandatory Testing for a total of 450 staff (including the CEO and all Top Management) from its Head Office, Tema Office, KIA Office and the Laboratory out of which 39 tested positive.
“All thirty-nine (39) staff were asked to go into self-quarantine and those who were in close proximity to them were also asked to do same and were provided with the necessary logistics to do so. Currently, thirty-eight (38) of the staff have recovered and will soon be reporting to work whiles the remaining one (1) is responding to treatment”
Below is a copy of the release:
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith