By Kingsley Mamore
Dambai (O/R), Sept. 22, GNA – The Oti Regional Health Directorate has proposed the establishment of an emergency trauma and accident care centre along the Dambai corridor to provide prompt medical care to victims of road traffic crashes.
Dr Kofi Amo-Kodieh, Oti Regional Director of Health Services, said the proposed facility would strengthen the Region’s emergency and pre-hospital care system and reduce delays in providing critical medical interventions to crash victims.
He said the facility had become necessary because of an anticipated increase in vehicular traffic along the corridor following the planned construction of the Dambai Bridge.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Dr Amo-Kodieh said the Directorate was considering an emergency care model similar to facilities along major highways, where road crash victims could receive prompt treatment and stabilisation.
He said the facility would complement existing health services and enhance the region’s capacity to respond to road traffic emergencies.
“Now that the Government has planned to construct the Dambai Bridge, once the project is completed, we expect more vehicles to use the corridor. Therefore, there is the need to establish an emergency accident and trauma centre to provide immediate care to victims should road crashes occur,” he said.
Dr Amo-Kodieh said timely intervention was critical in managing road traffic injuries, particularly cases involving severe bleeding, fractures, head injuries and other life-threatening conditions.
He said a strategically located trauma centre would reduce the time between a crash and the provision of appropriate medical care.
The Regional Director said the proposal formed part of broader efforts by the Directorate to strengthen emergency and pre-hospital services as road infrastructure and economic activities expanded in the Region.
He said the Directorate would engage relevant stakeholders, including the Government, the Oti Regional Coordinating Council, local assemblies and development partners, to explore ways of establishing and equipping the facility.
Dr Amo-Kodieh also called for sustained public education on road safety, saying improved emergency medical services must be complemented by responsible road use, adherence to traffic regulations and preventive measures by motorists and other road users.
He said a combination of road safety measures, efficient emergency response systems and improved trauma care would help reduce deaths and disabilities resulting from road traffic crashes.
The proposed facility, he said, would be particularly important to the Dambai corridor as the region prepared for increased connectivity and economic activity associated with the planned bridge project.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/ Lydia Kukua Asamoah