Saudi Arabia assists Ghana in health care delivery

Accra, July 10, GNA - A 20-member health team from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Tuesday presented 20,000 doses of measles vaccines worth 130,000 dollars to the Ministry of Health as their support to quality health care delivery in Ghana.

The team is in the country to offer a two-week medical outreach service to the people of Nima, Mamobi and their environs. Presenting the vaccines, Mr. Sameer Aggad, Saudi Arabia Ambassador to Ghana, said the offer of medical services was to signify the strong relationship between the two countries.

He said his country was also processing another presentation of seven tons of medical supplies worth over 200,000 dollars to the Ministry for its health care delivery services.

Mr. Aggad said the medical team was offering general health care and other specialized treatment such as Ear, Nose and Throat and pediatrics.

He pledged his country's support to assist Ghana in ensuring quality health care delivery through the offering of outreach programmes and provision of medical supplies and equipment. Major Courage Quashigah (Rtd), Minister of Health who received the vaccines, commended Saudi Arabia for abiding by the rules set up by the Ministry in donation of drugs and drugs.

"Previously, the Ministry was receiving expired drugs and obsolete equipment which became a nuisance so we decided to come out with a donation manual to guide benevolent organizations who want to donate such items to us and the Saudis have followed the instructions in the manual and we are grateful."

The Health Minister in turn handed over the vaccines to the Director-general of Ghana Health Service, Dr Elias Sory who said the Service had for some time now has recorded less than 60 cases of measles and had a target of recording zero case through vaccination. He said the vaccines would be used during national immunization days throughout the country and commended the Saudi Arabians for the gesture.