The Second Vice President of Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), Apostle Eric Nyamekye has met the leadership of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Ghana (N&MC) to deploy strategies combating the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.
The meeting, which was convened by the Governing Board of the N&MC, was to encourage nurses and midwives, who form about 70% of Ghana’s health workforce, as they brave the odds to confront the Coronavirus pandemic.
Addressing the health workers on the topic: “What To Do & What Not To Do In Times Like These As Frontliners”, Apostle Nyamekye said that the rate of the spread of COVID-19 is a cause for concern for all, especially for health officials who are the frontliners.
“This is perhaps the greatest medical challenge of our lifetime, and in critical times like these our hope comes from above,” he said.
Referring to the story of Gideon in Judges Chapter 6, the Chairman explained how the Israelites in some time past were handed over to the Midianites by the Lord due to their disobedience. The Israelites, therefore, hid in caves because of their fear of the Midianites. After several years of oppression, the people of Israel cried unto the Lord and He decided to go to their rescue through a young man called Gideon.
Apostle Nyamekye who is also the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost (CoP) called on health professionals to pick up some lessons from what ensued when Gideon received an angelic visitation.
According to him, in such devastating times, some people cannot help but question the existence of God and whether He is still with them.
“Like Gideon, they ask themselves, ‘If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us?’ This is because we know that nothing takes place without His permission,” he said.
Health workers should not complain
The Chairman, therefore, advised that as frontliners, health workers should desist from complaining about the inadequate resources they may have and rather focus on doing the best with the little they have, trusting that the Lord will go with them and supply their needs.
“Let us stop complaining about what we do not have and focus on what we have. Those who complain never get anything done. Instead, let us go in the little strength we have, and the Lord will back us with His strength,” he encouraged.
Apostle Nyamekye urged the health workers to employ the same tactic by collaborating and standing bravely together in the fight against the pandemic.
He, therefore, called on all health professionals to gird their loins and be prepared to provide the needed medical support whenever they are called upon.
“We are in difficult times. This is not the time to sit in the office, but a time to be on the field. Let us stand strong and rally behind the Ghana flag and fight. Let us do our very best and the God of this country will prove Himself mighty; then the whole world will know that He is indeed alive,” he said.
Support of churches is crucial
Apostle Eric Nyamekye also admonished church leaders to support the efforts of the government in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, saying, “This is not the time for soliciting for offerings and monies. This is not the time to think church; it is a time to think nations. The relevance of the church is how it impacts the nations.”
The Chairperson of the N&MC, Rev. Veronica Mina Darko, on her part, said that in the wake of the global pandemic, nurses and midwives across the country must demonstrate a sense of duty and a high standard of practice.
She said that the Council is ready to provide them with the necessary support and logistics they would need in combating the deadly virus.
She also called on Ghanaians, especially Christians, to take part in the National Day of Fasting and Prayer as declared by the President to seek the face of the Lord.
The Deputy Health Minister, Hon. Alex Kodwo Abban also expressed the ministry’s commitment towards ending the spread of the virus and called on all and sundry to support efforts of the government.
Participants
Present at the meeting were the Deputy Health Minister, Hon. Alex Kodwo Abban, Mr Felix Nyante (Registrar, N&MC), Mrs Eva Mensah (Nursing and Midwifery Section, GHS), Janet Ampadu-Fofie (Chairperson, Public Services Commission), Prof. Lydia Aziato (Dean, School of Nursing & Midwifery – UG),
The Chairman was accompanied by two principal officers of CoP namely, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi (General Secretary) and Apostle Emmanuel Gyesi-Addo (International Missions Director).
Among the participants were representatives from the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Ho Teaching Hospital, 37 Military Hospital, Police Hospital, University of Ghana Medical Centre, and University of Ghana School of Midwifery.
SOURCE: GPCC NEWS
