South Korea donates motorcycles to GHS in Northern, Upper East regions
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has donated 75 Yahama motorcycles to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to improve quality healthcare of babies in Northern Ghana.
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The motocycles would facilitate the movement of Community Health Nurses (CHN) in the discharge of their duties particularly in rural communities within the Northern and Upper East regions.
The donation was in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). It forms part of the US$4.5 million Life Cycle Approach Project which seeks to support child development from birth up to adolescence.
Health care
The Korean Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Woon-Ki Lyeo, observed that child care, especially in the early stages of the child’s development, was critical in determining the survival, growth and development of the child.
He said the donation was , therefore, to help in providing critical care for babies within their first 30 days by facilitating the transportation of health workers during outreach missions in the two regions.
The ambassador said his government through KOICA had partnered UNICEF and the Government of Ghana in supporting newborn care, pre-school education, teacher training and HIV awareness in the two regions under the project.
Mr Lyeo said Korea would continue to offer support to the country’s health sector particularly in improving newborn care and also reducing neonatal mortality.
Mortality
The Country Representative of UNICEF, Ms Susan Namondo Ngongi said the organisation had patterned the government, civil society, the private sector and donors in ensuring equitable opportunities for women and children to contribute to the development of the country.
She expressed concern that neonatal mortality continued to be a major challenge in the country, accounting for more than 48 per cent of deaths of children under five.
Ms Ngongi expressed the hope that the motorcycles would support the beneficiaries in carrying out outreach programmes in areas where they had difficulty reaching with vehicles.
Some of the 75 motorcycles donated to the Ghana Health Service in Tamale in the Northern Region
Appreciation
The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Abdallah Abubakari, who received the motorcycles, expressed appreciation to both KOICA and UNICEF for their timely intervention.
He, however, admonished the beneficiaries to ensure the regular maintemnace and security of the motorbikes.