As the COVID-19 crisis gripped Ghana, bringing economic activities to a standstill and threatening a severe downturn, Frontier Healthcare Services (FHS) took a stand. The company became a crucial player, introducing measures to strengthen health security protocols, especially in the air travel sector.
Following the World Travel and Tourism Council’s guidelines, FHS rolled out innovative interventions at the Kotoka International Airport. The initiatives included building two state-of-the-art clean-room laboratories, outfitted with 70 private glass sampling cubicles and 80 testing machines. These automated immunoassay systems had the capacity to produce 960 results within a mere 30 minutes.
FHS’s strategic actions, aimed at preventing the virus’s spread within Ghana’s populace, enabled the reopening of the country’s air borders amid the pandemic. This effort ensured that on September 1, 2020, Ghana led the world by being the first to implement rapid testing for international arrivals, marking a significant stride in the global battle against COVID-19.
However, this groundbreaking move drew undeserved controversy and harsh media criticism. In response, an FHS spokesperson countered the unfounded allegations, emphasizing the endeavor’s aim to rekindle international travel and stimulate economic vibrancy through a swift, reliable screening process at Ghana’s thresholds.
Refuting the critiques regarding the testing methods, the spokesperson asserted, “The excellence of our advanced automated immunoassay system is indisputable, confirmed by Ghana’s FDA and prominent scientists, and demonstrates 99.8% sensitivity and 99.3% specificity. Any suggestions of utilizing inferior testing are baseless and slanderous.”
Concerning the testing fee, the spokesperson justified the initial $150 charge, citing extensive investments in infrastructure, staffing, equipment, and other logistical aspects. During its contract period, FHS conducted tests on over 850,000 passengers, providing 52,991 tests for free and generating no revenue from them. “The project’s gross revenue stood at $75,696,221.00, with operational and capital expenses amounting to $64,399,307.00. From this, the Government of Ghana accrued $8,376,187.52 in revenue,” the spokesperson detailed, debunking rumors of financial impropriety.
The spokesperson emphatically concluded, “The figures blatantly illustrating huge profits from this project are grossly exaggerated and maliciously contrived, intended solely to tarnish our company’s reputation and undermine an initiative that has immensely benefited the people of Ghana.”
Frontier Healthcare Services remains steadfast in its commitment to public health, despite the baseless controversies stirred by certain quarters for apparent political gain. The company’s monumental role in combating the pandemic underscores its dedication to saving lives, which undoubtedly resonates with the citizens of Ghana and serves as a testament to FHS’s unwavering resolve in the face of crisis.
