Residents of Koforidua in the Eastern Region are lamenting over the government’s decision to delay the distribution of its 96 ambulances expected to boost the health sector.
President Akufo-Addo through the New Patriotic Party’s 2016 manifesto promised to provide an ambulance for all the constituencies across the country to transport sick or injured people from the emergency scene to hospitals for treatment.
Though that policy is close to being fulfilled with the government taking hold of as many as 96 ambulances, the delay in the distribution of the emergency vehicles has seen many social commentators throwing in their criticisms.
So far, the delayed ambulances parked at the statehouse in the last couple of months have led to the death of some people in certain communities whose lives could have been saved if there were ambulances available.
During an interview with Bryt Fm reporter Abba Kwegyirba Aggrey, some residents lamented while calling on the government to as a matter of urgency distribute the 96 ambulances.
They opine that most of the hospitals in Ghana do not have access to the ambulance and due to that, people lose their lives unnecessarily in a critical situation when in truth they could have been saved.
A resident by name Maame Owusuaa narrated, “My sister got a serious accident and was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment but due to her serious condition, the Doctor transferred us to Korle-Bu teaching hospital known as (37) and there was no ambulance at that moment. They called for an ambulance for an emergency- pre-hospital treatment but unfortunately, the ambulance couldn’t report on time and for that matter, my sister lost her life”.
Also, some residents indicated that, from the time these ambulances were parked at the statehouse, numerous people have lost their life because some families do not have enough money to call for a private ambulance due to the huge amount they will be charged, especially, when there is a serious emergency treatment.
Some others also cried that there are some remote places where ambulances are not available so when serious incidents occurred, they have to call for an immediate ambulance and it takes too long to answer emergency calls.
They are therefore calling on the President to immediately distribute the 97 ambulance available so they can serve their purpose by ensuring proper treatment on patients to save their life.
Source: Abba Kwegyirba Aggrey
