Gonjaland Youth Association presents medical equipment to hospitals

The North America Branch of the Gonjaland Youth Association (GANA) in collaboration with Medshare International Lithonia, an NGO in the United States has donated 178 assorted consumable and non-consumable medical equipment each to three hospitals in the Gonjaland.

The items valued at 2.7 billion cedis, included delivery beds, gloves, computers, photocopier machines, suture, Spiro meter and sphygmomanometers for the Salaga, Damongo and Bole District Hospitals.

Mr Issa Ketekewu, out-going Deputy Northern Regional Minister who presented the items at Salaga on Saturday, appealed to other benevolent organisations and well-meaning citizens of the area to emulate Medshare International.

He said the government would fulfil its campaign promise to the people by ensuring that the "Cash and Carry" was abolished and replaced by the Health Insurance Scheme, which would make healthcare delivery more accessible to the people.

Mr Ketekewu urged the people to observe personal hygiene and good sanitation practices to rid the communities of diseases.

Mr Bismark Daare Haruna, East Gonja District Chief Executive, thanked the Association for showing concern for those at home and urged the citizens of the three districts to live in peace to attract investors to the area.

He called on the people to maintain the prevailing peace in the area and undertake development projects to complement government's efforts.

The President of the local branch of the Association, Mr Ahmed Ewura, said the donation was made possible through mutual understanding between the branch in America and the mother association at home.

He commended the efforts of Professor Issifu Haruna, a citizen resident in the United States for being instrumental in acquiring the items and appealed for more donations to equip all health institutions in Gonjaland.

Dr James Sarkodie, Medical Officer in charge of the Salaga District Hospital received the equipment on behalf of the beneficiary institutions and said the provision of quality and efficient healthcare delivery to the people should not be a responsibility of the government alone.

He was, therefore, happy that the Gonjaland Youth Association in America had realised this and provided medical assistance to improve the health status of its citizens at home.

Mr Ketewu later inspected a five-bed room guesthouse constructed by the East Gonja District Assembly at a cost of 300 million cedis, a Ghana Education Service (GES) office complex at 600 million cedis and Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) offices at 146 million cedis