By Philip Tengzu, GNA
Lawra, Sept. 10, GNA – Patients and caregivers in the Lawra Municipality can now heave a sigh of relief in accessing emergency healthcare services, particularly referrals to higher facilities following the refurbishment and recommissioning of the Lawra Municipal ambulance.
The absence of a functional ambulance in the Municipality for over two years created serious challenges in referring patients, particularly pregnant women and other emergency cases, to higher health facilities.
Health workers and relatives of patients sometimes relied on private vehicles and tricycles to transport patients due to the breakdown of the ambulance that served the municipality, which resulted in delays in accessing emergency treatment.
To address that challenge, Mr Bede Ziedeng, Member of Parliament (MP) for the Lawra Constituency, intervened and facilitated the refurbishment of the ambulance by the National Ambulance Service (NAS) at a cost of about GH₵130,000.00.
Speaking at an event in Lawra to commission and hand over the ambulance, the MP indicated that it was a matter of urgent concern to him when the issue of the ambulance’s breakdown was reported to him in 2025.
He said that prompted him to engage the Ministry of Health and the NAS through letters and follow-ups to have the ambulance repaired or replaced.
Mr Ziedeng, however, said a technical assessment conducted by NAS revealed that the vehicle required more extensive repairs than initially anticipated, which accounted for the delay in returning the ambulance to the municipality.
“It was not simply a matter of replacing the engine. The ambulance required a more comprehensive refurbishment to ensure that it could return to the road in a safe and reliable condition”, he said.
The MP indicated that the commissioning was, therefore, necessary to inform the people in the municipality of the availability of the ambulance for emergency referrals.
Mr Ziedeng expressed appreciation to the Minister for Health, the Chief Executive Officer and the Upper West Regional Coordinator of the NAS for their roles in restoring the vehicle.
He urged the relevant authorities to ensure its proper maintenance, including regular servicing and proper use, to ensure its longevity.
The MP reaffirmed his commitment to working with the relevant stakeholders to improve healthcare delivery in the municipality.
Madam Phoebe Balagumyetime, the Lawra Municipal Director of Health Services, described the ambulance’s return as a “historic milestone” for healthcare delivery in the municipality.
She said that was because the prolonged breakdown of the ambulance had made timely referrals for emergency services a major challenge.
Madam Balagumyetime cited an instance where the Lawra Municipal Chief Executive had to use her personal pick-up vehicle to transport a pregnant woman from the Lawra Municipal Hospital to the regional hospital in Wa.
The Director said the refurbished ambulance would strengthen pre-hospital emergency care and improve the municipality’s ability to provide prompt referrals.
In a speech read on her behalf, Madam Cecilia Soyelleh, the Lawra Municipal Chief Executive, said the Assembly would continue to collaborate with the office of the MP to address development challenges in the municipality.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Philip Tengzu
Reporter’s email address: [email protected]