300 BIKES FOR GHANA HEALTH SERVICE
300 BIKES FOR GHANA HEALTH SERVICE SEPTEMBER 25, 2009
BY PETER ATOGEWE WEDAM
I.S.D.-BOLGATANGA MUNICIPAL
The Upper East Regional Health Directorate has taken delivery of 300 Nanfang motor bikes at a brief commissioning ceremony at Zuarungu, a suburb of the Bolgatanga Municipality.
The Regional Director of health services, Dr. Koku Awoonor-Williams in a welcome address said the package forms part of the district health system strengthening strategy instituted by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to revamp its transport system.
Doctor Awoonor-Williams observed that a strengthened transport system will lead to improved health delivery in the country and more especially in deprived regions like the Upper East.
The Regional Director revealed that the motor bikes, valued at about 900,000.00 Ghanaian cedis have special features such as Ministry of Health and GHS inscriptions and logos embossed on the engines and alarm systems to deter thieves from stealing them.
He hinted that negligent riders will be surcharged for damage and lost of the official motor bikes. He disclosed that the directorate has over the past two months auctioned 100 old motor bikes to its staff adding that the arrival of the new consignment has put life back into the health sector.
According to Dr. Awoonor-Williams, 200 more motor bikes and 28 pick-up vehicles are expected before the close of the year to further boost transportation within the health sector.
Each of the nine districts in the region will receive an average of 25 motor bikes.
The Upper East Regional Minister Honourable Mark Owen Woyongo who commissioned and presented the motor bikes, was worried about the enormous health challenges facing the region including high maternity and neonatal mortalities, inaccessibility of health care to rural communities and lack of skilled health personnel.
The Regional Minister described the commissioning ceremony as historic since it was the single largest number of motor bikes to be presented to the GHS over the past decade.
He stated that the Atta Mills’ administration is committed to putting the GHS on a sound footing and will continue to ensure that necessary logistics are provided for the GHS in order for it to take health care delivery closer to the rural folk. Furthermore, all district assemblies have been directed to construct more community health compounds in their areas to serve the health needs of their residents.
Honourable Woyongo urged health officers who will be using the bikes to maintain best maintenance practices so as to prolong the life span of the vehicles. He also called on the general public and the security agencies to help protect the motor bikes.
He commended the government for revamping the health sector transport system for the attainment of the health millennium development goals.
Meanwhile Mr. Woyongo has also asked the police command to implement stringent measures to reduce the rampant fetal motor accidents and needless lost of lives in the Upper East Region.
BY PETER ATOGEWE WEDAM
I.S.D.-BOLGATANGA MUNICIPAL
The Upper East Regional Health Directorate has taken delivery of 300 Nanfang motor bikes at a brief commissioning ceremony at Zuarungu, a suburb of the Bolgatanga Municipality.
The Regional Director of health services, Dr. Koku Awoonor-Williams in a welcome address said the package forms part of the district health system strengthening strategy instituted by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to revamp its transport system.
Doctor Awoonor-Williams observed that a strengthened transport system will lead to improved health delivery in the country and more especially in deprived regions like the Upper East.
The Regional Director revealed that the motor bikes, valued at about 900,000.00 Ghanaian cedis have special features such as Ministry of Health and GHS inscriptions and logos embossed on the engines and alarm systems to deter thieves from stealing them.
He hinted that negligent riders will be surcharged for damage and lost of the official motor bikes. He disclosed that the directorate has over the past two months auctioned 100 old motor bikes to its staff adding that the arrival of the new consignment has put life back into the health sector.
According to Dr. Awoonor-Williams, 200 more motor bikes and 28 pick-up vehicles are expected before the close of the year to further boost transportation within the health sector.
Each of the nine districts in the region will receive an average of 25 motor bikes.
The Upper East Regional Minister Honourable Mark Owen Woyongo who commissioned and presented the motor bikes, was worried about the enormous health challenges facing the region including high maternity and neonatal mortalities, inaccessibility of health care to rural communities and lack of skilled health personnel.
The Regional Minister described the commissioning ceremony as historic since it was the single largest number of motor bikes to be presented to the GHS over the past decade.
He stated that the Atta Mills’ administration is committed to putting the GHS on a sound footing and will continue to ensure that necessary logistics are provided for the GHS in order for it to take health care delivery closer to the rural folk. Furthermore, all district assemblies have been directed to construct more community health compounds in their areas to serve the health needs of their residents.
Honourable Woyongo urged health officers who will be using the bikes to maintain best maintenance practices so as to prolong the life span of the vehicles. He also called on the general public and the security agencies to help protect the motor bikes.
He commended the government for revamping the health sector transport system for the attainment of the health millennium development goals.
Meanwhile Mr. Woyongo has also asked the police command to implement stringent measures to reduce the rampant fetal motor accidents and needless lost of lives in the Upper East Region.
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