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13.04.2003 Diaspora (Germany)

Ghanaian In Germany Donates Ambulance ...to Walewale Hospital

By GNA
Ghanaian In Germany Donates Ambulance ...to Walewale Hospital
13.04.2003 LISTEN

The Walewale District Hospital in the Northern Region at the weekend took delivery of an ambulance van and a washing machine valued at about 12,600 Euros (about 121 million cedis).

Mr. Alhassan Abubakari Dauda, a citizen of the town based in Germany, donated the items to the hospital.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, the West Mamprusi District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Abdul-Karim Amadu, said government alone could not provide all the social needs of the people in view of its numerous commitments.

Any form of assistance from public-spirited individuals and organisations would therefore be very much appreciated, he added.

The DCE indicated that the Walewale Hospital was one of the youngest in the region and was beset with many constraints including the lack of a children's ward, a mortuary, and the absence of operation equipment at the theatre.

He advocated the institution of an endowment fund to raise the quality of healthcare delivery at the hospital to an appreciable standard.

Making the presentation, Mr Dauda said his gesture was motivated by the realisation that in previous times emergency cases referred to either the Nalerigu or Tamale hospitals had to be conveyed on hired commercial vehicles, which in most instances had adverse effects on the condition of patients.

He expressed the hope that the presence of the ambulance with its ultra-modern gadgets onboard, would bring to an end the desperation that relatives of referred patients had to put up with in the past.

The District Director of Health Services, Dr Francis Ali, who received the donation on behalf of the hospital, described it as unique in the sense that the entire West Mamprusi area with a population of about 350,000 did not have an ambulance.

He said considering the bad nature of the road to Nalerigu, where most of the emergency cases were often sent on unsuitable vehicles, the ambulance service would help save many lives. "It is going to enhance the healthcare delivery system in this district tremendously," Dr Ali said, adding that for the people of Walewale the days of going to Bolgatanga and Tamale in search of an ambulance for hire were over.

He thanked the donor for his generosity and appealed to the government and other philanthropists to help provide another ambulance, which would be stationed at the "Overseas" area of the district for the conveyance of patients to the Walewale Hospital.

Also present at the ceremony was the chief of Walewale, Durana Mutari Mahami. He underscored the fact that the ambulance would benefit the entire Mamprugu Traditional Area, including Gambaga and other communities in East Mamprusi.

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