The Minister of Health, Dr. Okoe-Boye, has announced the procurement of 26 Toyota Hiace rapid response ambulances to boost the country’s emergency medical services.
These ambulances were funded by the World Bank at a cost of $3 million. Dr Okoe-Boye made this known during a press briefing on Wednesday, September 18, where he provided an update on empowering healthcare through strategic policy towards Universal Health Coverage.
“We have some new ambulances that have also come. I know if I go on and on about ambulances, you’ll ask me more questions, so let me move on,” he said with a lighthearted comment as he shared the update on the new fleet.
The images of these ambulances surfaced last year, when some individuals claimed that an ambulance belonging to the government was being sold in the United Arab Emirates. The Ghana Ambulance Service in response urged the general public to disregard claims.
“The said Ambulance is found on the premises of the company, which is manufacturing the ambulances. It is, therefore, not true that the Ambulance is there for sale. The manufacturing processes are over and very soon the ambulances will be shipped to Ghana,” a statement from the Ghana Ambulance Service dated May 29, 2023, explained.
This acquisition forms part of a broader initiative by the Ministry to improve the National Ambulance Service’s response capacity in critical health emergencies across the country.
Dr. Okoe-Boye also noted the importance of specialized training in emergency healthcare, mentioning the role of the Ambulance Training School.
“We have the ambulance training school, where we train our emergency physicians and paramedics,” he said, emphasizing the government’s commitment to building a robust emergency response system.
Dr Okoe-Boye reiterated the Government’s commitment to enhancing healthcare delivery across Ghana by completing vital infrastructure projects and integrating digital solutions.
He highlighted the Government’s efforts to ensure that more healthcare facilities become operational, bringing medical services closer to communities nationwide.
He concluded by emphasizing the Government’s determination to ensure that every Ghanaian has access to quality healthcare.
“We are working tirelessly to operationalize more facilities and bring healthcare closer to the people,” the Health Minister said.
Presently, the government is working on the construction and completion of the Dodowa, Kumawu, Fomena and Takoradi European Flat hospitals and the commissioning of phase 2 of the Bolgatanga Hospital at a cost of $20 million.