The tricycle ambulance
Care Net Ghana (CNG), a health focused non-governmental organization is piloting tricycle ambulance services in four communities in the Akatsi South and North Districts of the Volta Region.
The ambulances, equipped with first aid facilities, stretchers, fans, seats, microphones and drip hooks are expected to help reduce maternal mortality in the two districts and enhance access to healthcare.
Mr Patrick Ahumah-Ocansey, Executive Director, CNG, presented the ambulances to the District Health directorates during the handing
over of a Community based Health Planning Services (CHPS) compound, also built by his outfit with support from partners abroad for Live rpt Live, a farming community near Akatsi.
The 80,000 euro CHPS compound has a consulting room, records, laboratory and store, a ward and two bedroom apartments with kitchen for workers.
It also has 24 hour water supply through a mechanized borehole system.
Mr Ahumah-Ocansey noted that though many district hospitals were equipped to handle complicated labour cases, the issue had been how to timely transport women in labour to the facilities.
He said pregnant women in the districts were said to be reluctant in going to health facilities due to cost of transportation and was hopeful the facility would help address those challenges.
Mr Ahumah-Ocansey said the 300,000 euro ambulance service project with support from ANESVAD would run for two years and included the training of men and women in the districts on maternal health and income generating activities.
He said health workers would also be trained on safe motherhood and data collection.
Mr Ahumah-Ocansey cautioned against the use of the tricycle ambulances as hearse.
Dr. Joseph Teye Nuertey, Volta Regional Health Director, commended CNG for the foresight and assured that the health directorate would equip the CHPS compound to begin work soon.
He said the Akatsi triangle-Akatsi South, Keta and Ketu South recorded 12 maternal deaths in 2014, but the figure went down to five in 2015 and was hopeful the intervention would further bring the cases down.
Mr Samuel Wuadi, Akatsi South District Chief Executive, said the Assembly would help position the CHPS compound for effective healthcare delivery in the communities.
“We can’t continue to use motorbikes to transport our pregnant women to hospitals and we are ready to help keep the facility operational and beneficial to our people,” he said.
The CHPS compound is expected to serve 18 difficult to reach communities, where people are said to walk several kilometres to access healthcare in the District capital, Akatsi.
