The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has presented 104 motorbikes to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) to enhance healthcare delivery by enabling health workers to reach remote communities with essential and life-saving services.
While 90 motorcycles were presented to the GHS, 14 went to the CHAG, an umbrella body of all Christian missionary health facilities in the country.
The motorcycles are expected to significantly improve access to critical services such as antenatal care, malaria prevention, nutrition counselling and child welfare services.
Acknowledgement
The Mission Director for USAID/Ghana, Kimberly Rosen, presented the motorbikes to the two organisations in Accra yesterday on behalf of the Charge d’Affaires, Rolf Olso.
Ms Rosen emphasised the strategic importance of the motorcycles in assisting the tireless community healthcare officers and volunteers who face challenging conditions such as bad roads, flooding and long days away from home.
She also recognised the crucial role of district health directors and the Health Administration and Support Services Division (HASS) in ensuring the maintenance and readiness of the motorbikes for service, indicating that “investing in primary health care is the most efficient way to ensure good health.”
Gratitude
On behalf of the GHS the Director of HASS, Dr Ebo Hammond, expressed appreciation to USAID and indicated that the motorbikes were more than just mobility equipment.
“They are essential tools for healthcare delivery,” he said.
He explained that in some rural areas, four-wheel vehicles could not access the communities, making motorbikes an invaluable asset.
“A motorbike with a bussing carrier behind, with a nurse on it can save lives,” he said, highlighting their effectiveness in delivering vaccines, conducting health education, disease surveillance and other critical public health interventions in hard-to-reach areas.
USAID’s impact
Dr Hammond reflected on USAID’s broader impact, particularly in leveraging medical-grade oxygen around the country, which significantly reduced the distance hospitals had to travel for critical oxygen supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Because of these investments, it reduced the distance to access from 1,850 to 850 kilometres. And the good news is that currently, through USAID’s support, we are also installing 10 liquid oxygen plants all around the country,” he said.
The Executive Director of the CHAG, Dr Peter Yeboah, said the motorbikes were vital investments and affirmed CHAG’s commitment to using the equipment for their intended purpose, equipping the health workforce to reach remote and unreached communities.
“We will use these motorbikes for their intended use, ensure that we capacitate health workforce at that level who will be able to reach remote communities otherwise unreached,” he said.
Background
This donation is part of USAID’s ongoing commitment to strengthening Ghana’s health system.
Over the past three years, the United States has contributed significantly to Ghana’s health sector, including over 300 motorcycles, 22 vehicles and more than 3,000 electronic tablets to the Ghana Health Service.
Last year, the United States also handed over two new boats and one renovated boat to the the GHS for use in the western part of the country.
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