As part of efforts to enhance timely healthcare access in rural hard-to-reach communities in the Upper West Region, Community Development Alliance (CDA) has presented eight tricycle ambulances to some communities in the region through the Regional Health Directorate.
The initiative, which sought to address emergency health transportation challenges in under-served communities, formed part of the Innovate for Health Project under the Ghana Country Innovation Programme, funded by the Stars in Global Health Grand Challenge Canada.
As part of the intervention, the CDA, in partnership with the Ghana Health Service and the National Ambulance Service, has trained community-based tricycle operators and Community Health Management Committees of the beneficiary communities in the Daffiama-Bussie-Issa, Lambussie and Wa East Districts to ensure proper management of the ambulances.
Speaking at a ceremony in Wa at the weekend to hand over the ambulances, Mr Salifu Issifu Kanton, the Executive Director of CDA, said the tricycle ambulances would complement the services of the National Ambulance Service in responding to emergency health transport need of rural folks.
“The Innovate for Health Project essentially seeks to complement the efforts of Ghana Health Service in improving emergency health for mothers, pregnant women and newborns living in underserved communities who probably have a difficulty in accessing emergency transportation at critical moments”, he explained.
Mr Kanton said twelve underserved communities-eight in the Upper West Region and four in the Savannah Region-would benefit from the 16-month project which sought to improve emergency health services access, especially for pregnant women and newborns.
Dr. Damien Punguyire, the Upper West Regional Director of Health, expressed gratitude to CDA and its partners for the intervention and said the tricycle ambulances would enhance health service delivery in the region.
He said it would ensure timely transport access for emergency health cases in hard-to-reach communities including maternal healthcare services.
The tricycle ambulances are designed fit-for rural use, equipped with essential medical equipment, including a stretcher, first aid kit, oxygen cylinder, and a fan to ensure the patient’s comfort during transit.
They are also fitted with seats for health professionals and accompanying relatives just like the design of the vehicular ambulance.
The Ghana Country Innovation Programme is an innovation desk that supports six regions in the country – Upper West, Northern, Northeast, Savannah, Upper East and Western Regions.
The Upper West Region has five innovators including the CDA under the Innovate for Health project with other innovators working in other areas including improving supply chain and improving capacity of health workers on maternal and newborns care among others.
Source: GNA
