The government has finally commissioned the 307 ambulances that are to be a revamp in the emergency response and care in the country.
At a commissioning ceremony yesterday, President Akuffo-Addo and other ministers of state as well as members of the government saw to the departure of these ambulances to their various stations made up of the 275 constituencies and some selected stations across the country.
By this, every constituency in the country now has a dedicated ambulance unit charged with the task of giving emergency support to victims and patients who will need such services.
Speaking at the ceremony, the president said that this is a fulfillment of the government’s promise in their 2020 manifesto to provide quality healthcare of high quality and world class standards in the country. The program which is under the government’s 1 constituency 1 Ambulance station which will come and add 145 more stations to the already existing ambulance stations. One ambulance is set to serve approximately 84000 people in each of these constituencies.
The President also added that the government was providing a digitalized system that integrates with the National GPS System to automatically locate people who call for emergency interventions. This, he said will help reach nearest healthcare facilities, aid in easy navigation and link with dispensary centers and health facilities.
Speaking on the interventions the government is putting in place to sustain this project, the president said that government is working hard to address some problems that the National Ambulance Service, the main implementers of this project are facing. They include Staff strength, Non-existent display system, Inadequate Infrastructure and Paramedic and emergency care. Again, he said that the needed infrastructure to be provided in the school the government has set-up to train professional paramedics at Kenkansa in the Ashanti Region. According to him 577 out of the total number of 1477 to be recruited have already been recruited with the remaining 900 still undergoing training.
After a successful display of a simulated accident and intervention by the ambulance services, the president was confident that the service was ready to work and save lives. He also revealed that the National Ambulance Bill is still before government awaiting the necessary consideration and finally, its enactment whiles calling on all regional ministers, MMDCE’s and health bodies to provide the needed support and maintenance.
On his part, C.E.O of the National Ambulance Service (NAS), Prof. Ahmed Nuhu Zakariah said that although things were initially tough, he to gather with the service had been able to keep faith in some words of motivation which has got them this far.
He was very hopeful that by this government’s “huge investment” in the areas of pre hospital care, the face Emergency Medical Service system will change in Ghana forever as there will be a major boost.
“Mr. President, we promise to use these vehicles with utmost care and skill. We promise to provide prompt emergency response, pre-hospital care, specialized transport and patient transfer to the good people of Ghana. Above all your excellency, we promise to take good care of these ambulances to ensure they are always fit for the purpose for which they have been procured.” He added.
Also speaking at the ceremony, Hon. Mavis Hawa Koomson, Minister for Special Development Initiatives whose ministry tasked with the procurement of the 307 ambulances said she was happy that finally, the project has been successful and the president’s vision of realizing an effective pre-medical service realized.
She said the project’s success was as a result of the close collaboration between the Ministry of Special Development Initiatives, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, Bank of Ghana and the National Ambulance Service under the supervision of the vice-president, H.E Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia adding that all procurement were also followed.
The Minister for health, Hon. Kojo Agyeman Manu whose ministry was a partner in this project also called on the media to assist in the public education of the use of the new emergency number 112 in accessing emergency interventions.
He went on to advise his colleague members of parliament and ministers saying that “all the ambulances are going to be manned by the National Ambulance Service” urging them to collaborate with the service in carrying out their duty in providing pre hospital healthcare services in the country adding that the ambulances are to work in close collaboration with the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDCE’s), health facilities and all other emergency services. They will be going to both old and new ambulance stations set-up in the various constituencies. He was also quick to add that the ambulances were going to be manned by qualified and experienced emergency medical technician drivers who are the ones authorized to drive the ambulances.
He also called on other organizations like the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) and the Progressive Transport Owners Association (PROTOA) to cooperate with the NAS to assist them in using the roads in the course of their duties.
This intervention touted as one of the biggest in the history of Ghana and beyond is part of the fulfillment of government’s one district, one ambulance under initiative the ‘Infrastructure For Poverty Eradication Program’ (IPEP). It was funded by the 1 million dollars per constituency allocation.
