Following news of the purchase and distribution of tricycles to be used in the provision of free primary healthcare by the current government, particularly news that the tricycles will be used by health workers and volunteers, many have criticised the government’s opting to use tricycles instead of proper ambulances.
But the use of tricycles for primary healthcare delivery has been going on for sometime.
For instance, in 2018, the Government of Korea, through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), donated dozens of tricycles (tricycle ambulances) to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in the Upper East Region so as to improve maternal and child health in rural and hard-to-reach areas of the region.
Under the Government of the New Patriotic Party(NPP) led by President Nana Akufo-Addo, the Ghana Health Service procured and distributed tricycles to enhance healthcare delivery in the North East Region in 2024.
The Ghana Health Service explained at the time that the tricycles were key to health care delivery:
“To enhance mobility for health workers at the District and Sub-district levels, the Service has acquired tricycles and motorbikes. These will improve access to healthcare and enhance service delivery.
The Director-General, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, handed over the vehicles to the Regional Directors, emphasising that they are designated for service use only and must be properly maintained.
Dr. Braimah Baba Abubakari, the Regional Director of the North East Region, who spoke on behalf of all regional directors, after receiving the tricycles, expressed gratitude for this initiative, stating that the vehicles will facilitate logistics and timely home services at the sub-district level.
In total, 250 tricycles and 1,150 motorbikes were distributed to boost primary health care.”
Even though President Mahama has now explained that the tricycles are meant as transportation for health workers, tricycles continue to serve as improvised ambulances in rural Ghana and the new tricycles would definitely come in handy.
Source: MyNewsGh.com
