Government urged to waive taxes on importation of drugs by NGOs

Agona Nsaba(CR), July 5, GNA - Nii Ofoli Gakpo Quarcoe, Communication Director of The Joseph Assignment, an NGO has appealed to Government to waive taxes on drugs imported by NGOs to enable them discharge their duties in health care delivery effectively. He said the NGOs complement government's efforts in health care delivery and taxes on drugs imported should be reviewed to make them beneficial to the people.

Mr Quarcoe who is also the Programme Administrator of the NGO made the appeal when they provided free medical care to more than 4,000 people at Agona Nsaba in the Agona District of the Central Region. The aged, adults and children were given medical attention in cataract, malaria, fever, stomach ache and other communicable diseases. About 20 people with complicated diseases were referred to Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Agona Swedru Government and 37th Military Hospital and the management of the NGO would pay the medical bills. He said apart from Agona Nsaba, Upper Bobikuma and Odoben in Central Region some communities in the Eastern Region had also benefited from the free medical care programme.

Mr Quarcoe said apart from medical care, the NGO had sunk 25 bole holes and constructed school blocks in Eastern, Central and Western Regions to supplement efforts of the government.

Dr Alexis Felder, President and Coordinator of the Joseph Assignment, said 80 Ghanaian health personnel made up of doctors, nurses and pharmacists were engaged in the exercise undertaken by the NGO. He said the exercise would be extended to Volta, Upper, East, West and Northern Regions next year. 05 July 09