Gastroenterology practice in the COVID-19 era: Ghana Association for the Study of Liver and Digestive Diseases (GASLIDD) position statement

Yaw A Awuku; Afaa T Jibril; Ansumana S Bockarie; Amoako Duah; Kenneth Tachi; Adwoa Agyei-Nkansah; Mary Y Afihene

doi:10.4314/gmj.v54i4s.16

Gastroenterology practice in the COVID-19 era: Ghana Association for the Study of Liver and Digestive Diseases (GASLIDD) position statement

Ghana Med J. 2020 Dec;54(4 Suppl):104-106. doi: 10.4314/gmj.v54i4s.16.

Authors

Yaw A Awuku¹, Afaa T Jibril², Ansumana S Bockarie³, Amoako Duah⁴, Kenneth Tachi⁵, Adwoa Agyei-Nkansah⁵, Mary Y Afihene⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medicine, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana.
² Department of Child Health, University of Ghana Medical School and Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.
³ School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
⁴ Department of Medicine, St. Dominic Hospital, Akwatia, Ghana.
⁵ Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Ghana Medical School and Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.
⁶ Department of Medicine, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted healthcare negatively across the globe. The practice of gastroenterology has been affected especially gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy which is considered high risk for transmission of the virus. As a community of practitioners there is the need to share information and make evidence-based statements to guide GI practice in Ghana. This GASLIDD position statement based on the growing and rapidly evolving body of knowledge is to provide up to date information on the COVID-19 disease and guidance for the practice of gastroenterology in Ghana and beyond. It is to help the GI community of practice to maintain the highest level of health delivery and safety for our patients, staff, community and GI practitioners.

Funding: Self-funded.

Keywords: COVID-19; GASLIDD; gastroenterology practice; practice guidance.

MeSH terms

COVID-19 / prevention & control*
Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / standards*
Gastroenterology / standards*
Ghana
Humans
Infection Control / standards*
Practice Guidelines as Topic*
SARS-CoV-2
Societies, Medical