Inadequate equipment, medical supplies hampering services in rural areas
Felix A. Baidoo
Lack of essential medical equipment and supplies has been identified as a major challenge which affects quality healthcare delivery in health facilities across the country, especially in the rural areas.
The District Director of Health Services for Ahafo Ano South, Mr Reuben Bedzrah, who made the observation, explained that although some of the health facilities had adequate personnel, lack of equipment still made it very difficult for them to perform their roles effectively.
That, according to him, “makes it very difficult for the general public to attain maximum benefit from health personnel, although they are paid monthly.”
Mr Bedzrah, therefore, called on various non-governmental organisations, philanthropists and corporate organisations to complement the government’s effort to provide the required equipment and supplies to health institutions in the country to increase and also improve quality healthcare delivery.
Donation
Mr Bedzrah made these comments when he received assorted health equipment and medical supplies from a US- based group, Ghana HealthCare Volunteers.
The items, which cost USD$13,000, comprised medical supplies, consumables and other essential drugs which were part of a consignment shipped from the United States of America to the country for a two-week health outreach in the district.
Health outreach
The eight-member medical team was in the Ahafo Ano South District for a two-week outreach.
It included medical doctors, nurses and other professionals.
They attended to more than 1600 patients from across the country with general health issues.
Aside from that, they also conducted more than 70 major and minor surgeries at the Mankranso Government Hospital and at the Adugyama Health Centre.
Commendation
Mr Bedzrah commended the medical team for their expertise.
He said he was particularly happy that most of the people who benefitted from the free health care were the very needy from the remotest part of the region.
The President of the Ghana HealthCare Volunteers, Mr Nicholas Fosu, pledged the team’s readiness to continue collaborating with the health directorate in the district and the nation to bring the much needed healthcare to the people.
