UE Health Directorate receives equipment

The Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has donated assorted medical equipment including 24 tricycles, 56 motor bikes and 120 bicycles to the Upper East Regional Health Directorate (RHD).

More of the items, which cost 2.5 million dollars, included 15 delivery beds, 16 examination couches, 14 lying in beds, 14 ambulance bags, 19 delivery kits, 22 paediatric scales, 26 adult weighing scales, 51 digital thermometer, 51 anti-shock garments, 26 sphygmomanometer, 16 examination trays, 20 kidney receivers and 16 sterilization drums among others.

Mr Andrew Dayi Saibu, the Project Coordinator, CRS accompanied by his team of workers, handed over the equipment to staff at the regional medical stores, at Zuarungu.

Mr Saibu told Journalists the donation formed part of a three year Rural Emergency Health Services (EHSP) project implemented by CRS to address problems hindering maternal health care in deprived communities.

He said access to transportation was necessary in enhancing healthcare; therefore, the tricycles would help Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) in the discharge of their duties in remote areas and also ensure that pregnant women in the communities are sent to the appropriate health facility during emergencies.

“To further boost this, torch lights, wellington boots, rain coats, TBA gowns and 120 bicycles had also been provided to facilitate the work of the TBAs,” he said.

According to the Coordinator, over 200 referrals had been made already with the presence of the rural emergency health project, resulting in timely deliveries.

Included in the donation were 50 mobile phones fully charged with credit worth GHC 13,000 to be used by the TBAs and health staff to support women and vulnerable children in deprived communities to facilitate their access to health care.

Mr Peter Boateng, Deputy Director of Administration, Upper East Regional Health Directorate, thanked CRS for the donation and said it would enhance health care delivery and reduce maternal deaths in the Region.

He challenged the three beneficiary districts, Talensi, Nabdam and Kassena West to take good care of the items.

Mrs Mary Stella Adapesa, the Kassena-Nankana West District Director of Health, on behalf of the district thanked CRS for the support.

She said the community ambulance would help the hard-to-reach communities to enjoy healthcare at the nearest facilities and also make it easy for health workers to extend services to the vulnerable.

Madam Paulina Aditiba, a TBA from Pwalugu in the Talensi District, thanked CRS for the support and said the items particularly the tricycles would facilitate transportation in the communities for pregnant women and children.

She said prior to the support, many TBAs were exposed to dangerous reptiles at night when attending to clients and therefore the wellington boots and raincoats among others came in handy.