The government has reiterated its resolve to ensure that quality emergency health care delivery services are brought to the doorsteps of all Ghanaians.
Mr Kwaku Agyeman Manu, Minister of Health said the aim of the government was to administer, maintain and operate a nationwide comprehensive emergency medical service system throughout the country.
He was speaking at the passing out parade of 435 new Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) drivers at the Paramedic and Emergency Care Training School (PECTS) at Nkenkaaso in the Offinso North District.
Mr Agyeman-Manu, said the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) team was greatly relied upon to respond to emergencies in the country with a high degree of capability and efficiency.
He said the comprehensive emergency health care system is designed to reduce medical emergency deaths, injuries, and permanent long-term disabilities through the implementation of a fully integrated network of related components.
- GHS urges Ghanaians to patronise essential health care services
- Government urged to introduce preventive health care onto NHIS
The system would provide for the arrangement of personnel, facilities, and such equipment, primarily in the pre-hospital setting, for the effective and coordinated delivery of health care services under emergency conditions.
Mr Agyeman-Manu indicated that it was in the light of this that the National Ambulance Service (NAS) was being supported to build its capacity to provide effective and comprehensive pre-hospital care in Ghana.
The Minister said the NAS was Ghana’s major pre-hospital emergency care provider that played a critical role in the health care delivery system.
The drivers have been trained to carry out procedures including bleeding control, positive pressure ventilation with a bag valve mask, and insertion of oropharyngeal airways to maintain the patient’s pathway.
Other skills acquired during the training were the insertion of nasopharyngeal airways, supplemental oxygen administration, and splinting, including full spinal immobilization.
Out of the graduating drivers, only three were females and this year’s number of females is the highest.
Mr Agyeman Manu urged the graduates to deliver their duties effectively and prioritize the health care needs of their clients.
He commended the Chief Executive Officer of NAS, Professor Ahmed Nuhu Zakaria for efforts he had put together for the functioning of the training school.
Prof. Nuhu Zakaria leading the graduates to swear the oath, advised them to serve unselfishly and continuously to make life enjoyable for mankind.
