News:
February 4, 2021
Minister designate for Communication and Digitization Ursula Owusu Ekufful has taken a swipe at the Noguchi Memorial Medical Institute for breaching patients’ confidentiality by disclosing that fifteen Members of Parliament have tested positive to COVID-19.
According to her going forward there should be an understanding where those being tested in Parliament can sign a document to indicate that if they test positive those information would be disclosed to the authorities of Parliament who contracted them to conduct the test.
Again, our individual right and doctor patient confidentiality is very important and Noguchi should be sanctioned. If they continue this way by sharing health results to a third party, and in the future this would discourage people from testing.
“We need MPs to be relax and willing to have repeated test for COVID-19, and our household should also be tested
She commended the Speaker Rt. Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin and the Parliamentary Service Board for their effort to keep everyone in Parliament safe, but was quick to add that there should be repeated test and should not be a onetime affair.
“If you tested negative today does not mean you cannot contract the disease, or after recovery you cannot contract the novel coronavirus”.
This happened on Thursday, February 5, 2021 when Speaker Bagbin disclosed on the floor of the House MPs and staff who have been infected with the COVID-19.
But Bolgatanga Central lawmaker Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine disagreed with the Minister designate and pointed out that since it was Parliament that contracted the medical institute to conduct the test there was nothing wrong disclosing the test and no need to sign a consent form.
Former Roads and Highway Minister and Minister designate, Kwesi Amoako Atta commended the Speaker for the test done, but since there are some members of the public entering the premises of Parliament, steps should be taken to guide the safety of those who have already taken the test as the disease moves as human beings move
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com