Ashanti Regional Minister presenting keys to Kumawu DCE as he hands over an ambulance to the constituency
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah has charged Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to take particular interest in how the ambulances given to the various constituencies in the region are maintained.
According to the minister, the lifespan of the ambulances as well as its equipment can be attained when a rigorous maintenance culture is carried out on them.
Speaking at a brief ceremony at the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council (ARCC) to hand over the 47 ambulances meant for the 47 constituencies in Ashanti to the MMDCES representing same, Mr Osei-Mensah asked them to conduct regular checks on the vehicles at the places they would be stationed.
The Regional Minister also charged the respective drivers from the Ghana Ambulance Service to adhere to all the requisite maintenance schemes so as to prolong the lifespan of the vehicle as well as its equipment.
‘’These ambulances have been delivered to us by the President and he intends that we as custodians in our localities help to maintain and keep them in good shape at all times’’, Mr Mensah charged.
REQUESTS:
Hinting of requests made to his outfit regarding the ambulances, the Regional Minister said outfits such as the National Sports Authority (NSA), Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) and the traders union at Kejetia as well as Central Market have expressed desire to have ambulances at their places.
Mr Osei Mensah said there are plans to get two additional ambulances for the region to make it 49 for Ashanti, adding the extra two would be given to two outfits who have requested for same.
He however stressed that a committee will determine which two institutions should have the privilege of having the extra ambulances.
The Regional Minister also disclosed that some of the constituencies do not have ambulance bays in their respective hospitals, noting that those that do not have will be parked at the Police or Fire service stations at the locality.
REGIONAL AMBULANCE COORDINATOR:
Speaking to the Ghanaian Observer Newspaper at sidelines of the event, Dr Dominic Aweriyah, Ashanti Regional Coordinator for the Ghana Ambulance Service underscored the importance of the delivery of the buses to his outfit.
He noted that many health cases could have been dealt with better if they had gotten to the hospitals on time.
Many deaths arising out of these cases especially referrals from hinterlands and remote communities, he noted could have been prevented if they had reached health facilities on time.
Dr Aweriyah therefore commended the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the bold initiative, adding that his outfit would see to the effective deployment as well as the maintenance of the ambulances in the Ashanti Region.
NPP REGIONAL EXECUTIVES:
Advising the drivers from the ambulance service later at the event, Ashanti Regional Chairman for the NPP, Mr Bernard Antwi Boasiako also known as Wontumi urged them to drive with care.
He asked them to report any difficulties they face in their duties to the various MMDCES so that a solution is found to same.
Nana Ama Ampomah, the Ashanti Regional Women’s Organiser for the NPP rallied the MMDCEs to take good care of persons handling the ambulances.
This, she noted would encourage them to maintain the ambulances and equipment well to serve the purposes by which they were delivered to the constituencies.
