Minister of Health presents over 40 pickups to Ghana Health Service

The donation aims to improve the mobility and operational efficiency of healthcare professionals

Sat, 6 Jul 2024 Source: www.ghanaweb.com

The Minister of Health, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye, has presented over 40 pickup vehicles to the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

The donation aims to improve the mobility and operational efficiency of healthcare professionals across the country.

During the presentation ceremony on July 5, 2024, Dr. Okoe Boye emphasized President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo-led government's commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure.

"We are here this morning to do a very simple but very important ceremony. We are interested in the impact and not the fanfare, which is why you don't see us with podiums and canopies.

"The point I want to make is that the Akufo-Addo government is committed to tooling and retooling Ghana’s healthcare delivery and for that matter the health service,” he said.

Dr. Okoe Boye highlighted the role of the Ghana Health Service in the public healthcare system, saying, "This morning we are here to present over 40 pickups to one of our most distinguished agencies, the Ghana Health Service.

“The Ghana Health Service is the principal agent when it comes to healthcare delivery in the government space, the public space.

"We have hospitals, health centres, and CHPS compounds across the country that have to move on our highways to get medicines. We have occasions where doctors must be picked from the district to hospitals to do outreach.

“District directors at distant places need to move to remote areas to ensure that vaccines for kids are delivered and delivery is also monitored. So, this morning on behalf of the Akufo-Addo and the ministry present these 40 plus pickups to the Ghana Health Service to advance the cost of health care delivery in the country,” Dr. Okoe Boye added.

Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, expressed his gratitude upon receiving the vehicles.

He assured that the vehicles would be used to enhance the institution's activities and reach.

"Ghana Health Service represents all 261 districts, managing about 8,000 facilities across the country.

“And so, this helps us to move not only staff for work but also reach the community to ensure centres, CHPS compounds, and outreach, especially in communities to provide information and services," he said.

"It is going to really help us, especially in the remote parts of the country. We will ensure this one goes to the most needed districts that need vehicles to improve healthcare at all levels, particularly the primary level.

This donation marks a historic moment, as it is the first time the Ghana Health Service has received vehicle donations in such a significant number from the ministry.