By Yvonne Atilego
The Ministry of Health has taken delivery of medical equipment, PPEs and Advanced Training Simulators for five teaching hospitals and the National Ambulance Service. The donation from the Japan International Cooperation Agency JICA is to continue to strengthen the country’s emergency Covid 19 support. The equipment which include Ventilators, gloves gowns, Vital Sign monitors, obstetrics and Gynecological and Anatomy models.
The Deputy Minister of Health Mahama ASei Seini at a handing over ceremony of the equipment by JICA in Accra noted that though Covid-19 seems to be witnessing a normalized trend in the country, it does not mean the public should let its guards down. He said the Ministry continues to prioritize Public Health Emergency Preparedness and response and eradication of Covid-19 is its focus but not to the detriment of other diseases.
”Though COVID-19 seems to be normalizing and related activities have stepped down, the pandemic is not over yet” he stressed. We still have to be on guard and prepare for any changes that may occur”..he noted.
The Deputy Minister said the items donated are important not only for the Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response system but will also help build capacity for emergency services beyond Covid-19. He pledged the Ministry’s resolve to use the equipment for their intended purposes.
A Senior Representative from JICA Maki Ozawa, said Ghana is one of JICAs biggest beneficiary for health within the West Africa sub Region. She noted that the Cooperation support to Ghana dates almost 50 years adding that JICA is upbeat about achieving Universal health Coverage and health related SDG’s. She announced that as part of the donation of medical equipment JICA will also train Biomedical engineers from the Ministry of Health and its agencies to enhance their capacity to effectively manage, maintain and sustain the usage of medical equipment on health care delivery.
“It is our firm belief this support will help strengthen the country’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response team especially the Tertiary care facilities which serve as a major referral across Ghana and also help elevate the capacity of Paramedics for prompt medical referral and quality pre-hospital care”. Maki Ozawa, stressed.