The Government of Ghana has presented some ambulances and a water tanker to the Ghana Police Service, Armed Forces and two other health institutions.
The brief ceremony was held in Accra on Tuesday.
Delivering a speech on behalf of Caretaker Minister of Health, Ursula Ekuful, Minister for Health Designate, Dr. Bernard Oko Boye said "Today, we are gathered here to present Health Equipment to some of our Agencies in the Health Sector. Thes equipment are: four (4) ambulances and (one) Tanker. The beneficiary organizations are the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana Police Service, the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital who will receive an ambulance van each, whilst the Tamale Teaching Hospital will receive a Water Tanker an ambulance all at a total cost of One Million Five Hundred and Sixty-five Thousand, Forty United States Dollars and Sixty-five Cent (USD1,565,040.65)"
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He added that the equipments are part of Japanese Government support to Ghana’s Primary Health Programme to strengthen Ghana’s Health System.
"As a country, we have benefited from the long and successful relationship with the Government of Japan which dates back several years through Technical Assistance, Grant aid and donation of equipment and commodities. Additionally, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) various initiatives related to improving the health of Ghanaians continue to be implemented"
"Ladies and Gentlemen, as you are aware, the Ministry is pursuing Universal Health Coverage Agenda for which we have defined UHC as: 'All people in Ghana having timely access to high quality health services irrespective of ability to pay at the point of use' with a goal of increased access to quality essential health care and public health services for all by 2030"
"You will agree with me that the goal and objectives of attaining UHC calls for deliberate investments into various aspects of our health system. We therefore re-emphasize the importance of all these investments of our Universal Health goal especially in improving access to quality health services in Ghana"
"The Universal Health Care roadmap to ensure that Ghanaians have timely access to quality health services irrespective of their ability to pay at the point of use"
Key strategies under consideration in operationalizing the UHC roadmap include increasing the enrolment of the National Health Insurance Scheme and keeping members active as well as making Community Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) fully functional throughout the country"
Member of Parliament for Bantama, Francis Asenso Boakye who received the ambulance on behalf of the Suntreso government hospital explained that the gesture will go a long way to enhance health delivery in the area.
Northern Regional Minister, Shani Alhassan Shaibu who received an ambulance and water tanker thanked the the government for the kind gesture and promised that the items presented would be used for their intended purposes for the benefit of all.
Medical Director, Police Hospital, DCOP/Dr. Samuel Otu-Nyarko said "We are grateful for this equipment. As men and women in uniform, we take very good care of the equipment presented to us by government.
Deputy Chief of Staff (Medical), Major Gen. R. K. Ewusi said "This ambulance will be used for its intended purpose. This ambulance has come at the right time"
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith