Government donates Vehicles and motorbikes to Health Centers and Training Institutions in the Upper East

24-05-2011
The Upper East Regional Health Directorate has taken delivery of a number of vehicles and buses to be distributed to the various health centers and training institutions in the region. The gesture which is being spearheaded by the government under the Ministry of Health include 17 brand new pick up and three 30-seater buses including an old bus that has been rebranded to help increase outreach services in the region. A number of motorbikes will as well be distributed to some health personnel manning the various sub districts at the community level. At a brief presentation ceremony held at the premises of the Regional health Directorate, the Upper East Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. John Koku Awoonor-Williams charged the beneficiary institutions and health facilities to put the vehicles to good use, since most of them are on hire purchase, and more importantly, ensure their lifespan through regular check and maintenance. He expressed the hope that the donation of the vehicles which are being insured comprehensively will enhance service delivery, output and indicators so that they can justify such investment. Failure in achieving the expected results will mean that the health sector of the region is not up to task, and that there is no justification to complain that the region lack the resources to deliver. Dr. Awoonor-Williams also cautioned beneficiary driver to use the vehicles for its intended purposes since they are not meant for luxury. According to him, the greatest impact of the gesture is to facilitate the movement of health personnel in the course of their duty so that they can have easy access to vaccines and other logistics. This, he noted, will improve their outreach and referral system and moreover improve upon practical training of beneficiary health institutions. The Principal of the Bolgatanga Nursing Training School, Mr. Mark Mumin who received the vehicles on behalf of the beneficiaries described the gesture as a useful one and thanked the government for heeding to their incessant call. The gesture, he further said is another step in making health service workers mobile. Morbidity, he indicated is critical, hence the need for more of such gestures to contribute in the fight against maternal and infant mortality in the region. Mr. Mumin also emphasized that the provision of the vehicles will ensure total promptness in attending to emergencies and work as well as supervision at all times. He seized the opportunity to advised beneficiaries to ensure regular maintenance of the vehicles so that they can benefit from more of such donations. Rev. Fr. Roge Akologo from the Catholic cathedral parish, Bolgatanga, later administered his benediction to officially inaugurate the gesture.

GBC END IA