The Government is to procure about 100 more ambulances to augment the fleet of the national Ambulance Service (NAS). It follows the approval of a loan facility by the 7th Parliament before its dissolution.
The Minister of Health Designate, Kweku Agyemang Manu, who announced this move said it is part of measures by the government to support NAS build its capacity to provide effective and comprehensive pre-hospital emergency care system for every one living in Ghana, where NAS provides a critical role in the health care delivery system.
The occasion was the graduation of 128 Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians (AEMTs) at the Paramedic and Emergency Care Training School (PECTS) at Nkenkaasu in the Offinso North district of Ashanti.
It brings to 327 the number of Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians, making the total Emergency Medical Technicians Team 2,112 with a high degree of capability and efficiency to respond to emergencies.
The Minister also mentioned that NAS has 450 drivers in training and a further 450 non drivers are being processed to start training.
He noted that NAS has developed expertise in the pre-hospital management of causalities hence the need to support the Service to be at the forefront to provide pre-hospital care, especially in this COVID-19 pandemic times.
The Minister reiterated government’s commitment to ensuring that health service delivery is brought to the door step of every Ghanaian as a basic right and necessary for both economic and social development.
Against this background, the Minister hinted that government was making efforts to upgrade and construct required infrastructure at the Paramedic and Emergency Care Training School towards the long-term goal of becoming the Training Centre for Paramedics in the Sub region, as well as serve as a refresher Course Centre for Emergency Care Training for doctors, nurses and other paramedics.
The Minister appealed to well-meaning individuals, agencies or organisation to support the government to address the problem of inadequate capacity building facilities.
The Member of Parliament for Offinso North Constituency, Augustine Collins Ntim, suggested that the Centre is adopted as a legacy for the government and called for support of the government and the Ministry of Health for the NAS.
Nana Osei Sarpong, Mpehehene on behalf of the Offinsohene, Nana Wiafe Akenten III noted that the provision of ambulances by the government across the country required manpower to handle them and called for the upgrading and expansion of facilities at the Paramedic and Emergency Care Training School.
In a related development, Evelyn Boama Asantewaa and Sarah Pobee excelled at the graduation making the event an all-female affair when the two out of 39 female and 89 males swept all the awards from the five categories.
Twenty-six-year old Evelyn Boamah Asantewaa was adjudged the Overall Best Graduating Cadet, Best in Academics and received the CEO’s Award.
Sarah Pobee, 28, also grabbed the Best in Practicals and Best in Drills and made history as the first female parade commander at PECTS graduation ceremony of third batch of AEMTs last Monday.
The awardees received fridges, TV sets and microwave donated by StarLife Insurance as their prizes.
Meanwhile, Mr. Agyeman Manu has recommended that the Training Centre institutes the Minister’s (Minister of Health) award at future graduation ceremonies to encourage the students.
Pix 1: A contingent of AEMTs on parade
Pix 2: Sarah Pobee takes her prize for Best in Practicals from KATH CEO
Pix 3: The Minister presents the Overall Best award to Evelyn Boamah Asantewaa
Pix 4: Evelyn receives the CEO’s award from NAS CEO Prof. Zakariah
The post Govt to procure 100 more ambulances:To augment fleet of Ambulance Service appeared first on The Chronicle Online.
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