The  United States Agency for International Development ( USAID) Mission in Ghana has donated 1,000 bicycles and 1,000 carrier bags equipped with essential health supplies such as insecticides- treated bed nets, family planning commodities, counseling cards and oral rehydration salts to Ghana's Ministry of Health.

The items are for distribution to about 30 districts across the country to facilitate the work of the Community Health Volunteers who have been trained in Child Health, Maternal and New born care, Family planning counseling and Prevention of Malaria.

Presenting the items in Accra, yesterday, the  Acting Director of the USAID, Mr  David Atteberry, said that  the Government of the United States , through the USAID, has had similar events to present motorbikes, bicycles and medical equipment to the Ministry of Health, to help improve the quality of health care and access to basic health care in rural and underserved communities.

He said the donation, which cost about 150,000 US dollars, is part of USAID bilateral commitment to improve the health status of Ghanaians. Adding that the donation will strengthen and expand the largest community – based health service delivery  across the country and will also support the Community – Based Health Planning Service (CHPS) initiatives.

Mr  David Atteberry also commended the government for expanding the Community Health Training Institutions across the country  and re-iterated  that the CHPS initiative is an important component of the government of Ghana's poverty strategy which is  to increase equity and quality of health care.

Receiving the items, the Minister for Health, Major Rtd Courage Quashigah, thanked the USAID mission for their contribution to the development of the health sector in this country and promised that the equipment will be put to good use.

Source: ISD (Christiana Y. Gyampo)