Lack of mobile telephony affecting health care delivery in Sissala

The District Director of Ghana Health Service (GHS) in the Sissala East District of the Upper West Region Alex Bapela has disclosed that absence of mobile telephony is affecting healthcare delivery in the district.

Residents in communities in the district including Nabulo, Mmanduanu, Kasana, Bechembelle, Nabugubele, Bojan and Santijan are not able to make and receive calls because mobile phone network is not available.

According to him, though health personnel have designated numbers in case of emergency services, about half of the communities do not have access to network to help in the use of mobile telephony.

This, he called on stakeholders, political heads and traditional leaders to save the situation by working closely with mobile telecommunication companies.

According to health personnel and residents who live in these communities, it’s very difficult getting help from the only referral facility situated at the district capital.

Ultimate News’ Musah Lansah reports that apart from the issue of no network, the roads leading to these communities are so deplorable that its difficult for ambulance service vehicles to ply the roads.

He added that in the absence of ambulance service vehicles, patients are forced to travel to the health facility with pick-ups or tricycles during emergency cases.

In an interview with some of the residents and health workers at Naa Bogubelle one of the no network communities located about an hour away from the district capital, they indicated that it’s frustrating getting help when they fall sick.

They expressed worry that they feel cut off from the rest of the district.