Korea donates healthcare equipment to four Volta districts

Korea Foundation for International Health Care (KOFIH) Tuesday presented motorcycles, tricycle-ambulances and medical equipment to the Volta Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in Ho.

The donations are to boost maternal and child health services in the Hohoe Municipal Area, Afadjato, Krachi-West and Krachi-Ntsumuru districts.

The equipment, including ultra-ultrasound machines, delivery sets and autoclaves cost Gh¢2.8 million while the 19 motorbikes and six tricycle-ambulances cost Gh¢153,945.60.

KOFFI is undertaking a three-year project at an estimated cost of six million dollars to improve maternal and newborn child healthcare in the four local government areas.

Mainly, the beneficiary areas have rugged terrains, bad roads and quite long distances between human habitations, making reach of health workers a major hurdle.

Dr Donghoon Yang, KOFIH Country Director, said all the equipments had crucial roles to play in the maternal and child healthcare cycle.

Dr Felix Doe, Hohoe District Director of Health Services, said the tricycle-ambulances would enhance the referral management system, while the motorbikes would boost the reach of Community Health Nurses in their public education and immunization drives.

He said there were nine maternal deaths in the municipal area last year, attributable mainly to lack of fluid access to the appropriate facilities.

Dr Joseph Teye Nuertey, Volta Regional Director of the GHS, said the donation was in good time as the directorate tried to reduce maternal deaths in the region.

He said maternal deaths were 80 in 2014 as against 78 in 2013.

Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) is undertaking a similar project in some southern districts of the Volta Region, which include the establishment of a Midwifery Training School at Keta.