GMA Gen Sec Dr Yankson denies supporting drone medical deliveries deal
The General Secretary of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Dr Justice Yankson has denied suggestions that the association had earlier supported and endorsed the drone medical deliveries deal only for it to do a u-turn.
"To the best of my knowledge, the GMA has never been part of any discussions on the drones,"
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Read also: GMA was consulted on drone medical deliveries deal – Govt
Speaking on Asempa FM's Ekosii Sen programme Wednesday afternoon,
He indicated it was surprising for the Deputy Minister to suggest at a press briefing that, the GMA or he [
Related: GMA backs use of drones to improve healthcare delivery
"You see these are some of the things that politicians do sometimes," that take citizens back and insisted that he has never attended any of the health summits," where
"I have at no point had discussions with government or any government official on this drone system,"
"He [Pius Hadzide] should do the
Related: Parliament approves drones contract but Minority walks out
Read also: Suspend drone medical deliveries deal - GMA to govt
Parliament
Parliament on Tuesday approved the service agreement for the use of drones to distribute essential medicines and blood to remote areas.
Even though the deal was approved, there were strong objections by the Minority Members of Parliament (MPs), who forced the approval process to be decided by a head count, with 102 MPs voting for it, while 58 MPs voted against it.
GMA reaction
The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) reacting to the development asked
It also claimed that the association was not consulted on the matter and therefore called for a broader stakeholder consultation.
Govt reaction
However, the government on Wednesday dismissed the GMA's claims that it had not been made aware of the service agreement deal to have drones deliver essential medical supplies to remote areas in Ghana.
According to a Deputy Minister of Information,
At a press briefing in Accra Wednesday morning,
Dismissing the claims by the GMA,
He quoted
Below is the full address delivered by the Deputy Information Minister, Pius Enam Hadzide at Wednesday's press briefing
12/12/18
Minister’s Press Briefings
Addressed by Hon. Pius Enam Hadzide (Deputy Minister)
Venue: Information Ministry Press Briefing Centre
Opening Remarks
Good morning and thank you for attending our
1. IMF Managing Director visits Ghana from 16th to 18 December 2018.
2.
1. IMF Managing Director visits Ghana from 16th to 18th December 2018.
Ladies and gentlemen
The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde is set to visit Ghana from 16th to 18th of December 2018.
The visit comes weeks ahead of Ghana’s conclusion of the IMF program.
The visit of the IMF boss marks an appreciation of our policy direction and solid economic fundamentals. Our fiscal rules which ensure irreversibility signal to the world that Ghana is ready for investments.
Aside from showing the world that doing business with us is a move in the right direction, the visit of Madame Lagarde has the potential to unlock for us as a nation good coupon rates on the international bonds market.
On
The one-day conference is an opportunity for the Managing Director to engage with thought-leaders and influencers from sub-Saharan Africa on the future of work.
The objective of the conference
The IMF boss will on the same day hold bilateral talks with President Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House.
She is also expected to have lunch with some Ghanaian women entrepreneurs who are doing well in their field of work.
On Tuesday 18th December, the IMF Managing Director will give a
She will depart from Accra same day to Johannesburg South Africa on a four Africa Nation tour.
It is our hope that the visit of the IMF boss will further strengthen the cordial relationship between Ghana and the IMF on economic policies.
2.
As most of you may be aware the Drone Health Delivery System is expected to cater for the distribution of essential medical drugs to rural communities.
Government is aware of the various feedbacks that have greeted the introduction of the technology project including that from the Ghana Medical Association.
Indeed at the 2018 Annual Health Summit in Accra, the Vice President Alhaji Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia announced to the GMA government’s intention to roll out the project as part of efforts to ensure effective healthcare delivery.
The Ghana Medical Association welcomed the decision by
“Well, for us as an association, on countless occasions, we have bemoaned the state of emergency medical service in the country, so if efforts are being made by the government to ensure we strengthen that aspect of our healthcare delivery, then we say kudos,”
Government is therefore taken aback at the current position of the GMA when it says...
“The proposed services to be provided by the drones do not conform to the primary healthcare policy in Ghana”.
The drone technology like other technology introduced into the health delivery system ladies and gentlemen fits well into the primary health care policy towards the achievement of universal health coverage.
Last week I personally joined officials of the Ghana Health Service and
Government is committed to ensuring effective health care delivery in the country especially in rural areas and we believe the Drone Health Delivery System will largely make an impact aside other measures to improve the health sector.
Our doors are opened for further engagements and consultations on this project which is to benefit citizens of this country.
The Akufo-Addo administration will continue to improve the health care system and services for the wellbeing of citizens.
I thank you all for your attention.
Writer's email: [email protected]
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