By Emelia B. Addae
Koforidua, April 09, GNA -The Hunger Project-Ghana has commissioned a refurbished Emergency Dispatch Centre and handed over five Mini-Modified Tricycle Ambulances (MMTAs) to the Eastern Regional Office of the National Ambulance Service and the Ghana Health Service.
The emergency centre will serve as a central hub, coordinating emergency responses between the Mini-Modified Tricycle Ambulances from the epicenter’s communities and the National Ambulance Service (NAS) to higher referral facilities, ensuring timely and effective medical interventions.
Speaking during the handing over event, Mrs. Agatha Quayson, Country Leader of The Hunger Project, said the donation was made possible through the Holistic Opportunities for Positive Engagement in Maternal and Child Health project funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
She said the renovation and refurbishment of the Emergency Dispatch Centre (EDC) included the installation of servers and television monitors that enhance emergency communications, bunker beds, and appliances that provide staff with a conducive and comfortable environment to run 24-hour shift at the centre.
“We trust that this facility will enhance your operations and strengthen emergency healthcare delivery for our epicenter’s communities and beyond,” she noted.
Ms. Stephanie Ashley, Project Coordinator, noted that one way to ensure the sustainability of the operations of the EDC and MMTAs, as well as timely referrals, was to collaborate with the NAS under the Ministry of Health.
NAS main objective is to provide pre-hospital emergency care and to transport referred cases, with a particular emphasis on prioritizing maternal and child health.
She mentioned drivers as among key staff from the targeted health facilities—Agyapomaa (Abuakwa South Municipality), Ankoma (Kwahu East Municipality), Supriso (Suhum Municipality), Anyansu (Asuogyaman District), and Kyempo (Asante Akyem South).
The National Ambulance Service staff stationed in the districts and regional offices have been trained in referral mapping to ensure efficiency and are also charged to identify contacts from referral health facilities.
Mr. Charles Agyapong, Communications Director of Koforidua Ghana-Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, stated that the church not only caters for the spiritual well-being of its members but also ensures their physical well-being.
This is because he said, “we believe that both spiritual and physical make up humanity.”
He said the church partnered with organizations such as The Hunger Project to bring relief to people and focused on healthcare, education, water and sanitation.
Mr. Desmond Osei Anom, President of Koforidua Ghana-Stake of the Church, noted “regarding this donation, the church is more concerned about the training of drivers and the NAS staff in the region, and we shall work hand in hand to ensure health safety.”
Professor Ahmed Nuhu Zakariah, the Chief Executive Officer, NAS indicated that the refurbished Emergency Dispatch Centre and the Mini-Modified Tricycle Ambulances would support maternal care and reduce maternal mortality.
“The government is overwhelmed with many needs from other agencies and offices,” he said, while appealing to other
organizations and individuals to support the NAS to help improve the Emergency Response System in the country.
Dr John Ekow Otoo, Eastern Regional Deputy Director of Public Health said, “When we talk of timely and comprehensive health care, in the area of maternal health, time is key and in that sense the provision of the Mini-Modified Tricycle Ambulances will play a vital role in referral cases.”
“Sometimes when the staff face challenges. There’s a need to move the patient in the shortest possible time to the district and regional hospitals,” he added.
GNA
DL/GRB