Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has renovated and expanded the National Ambulance Service (NAS) office in Tongo, Talensi District, Upper East Region of Ghana. The project, part of CRS's HOPE-MCH initiative, aims to strengthen emergency healthcare delivery. The renovated facility was officially handed over to NAS at a ceremony attended by stakeholders, including CRS-Ghana representatives, NAS officials, and traditional leaders.
The HOPE-MCH Project seeks to improve the wellbeing of women, newborns, and children by enhancing health services at various levels. The Talensi District Assembly views the renovation as a crucial investment in emergency healthcare, enabling timely referrals and transportation, particularly for urgent medical cases involving women, newborns, and children. The district had faced significant challenges with its emergency ambulance service, with the district ambulance off the road for over two years.
The Talensi District Assembly had to mobilize resources to procure a new engine and essential parts to restore the ambulance to service. Unity Mining Group supported efforts to revive the district's ambulance service. The Assembly welcomes the renovated NAS office, seeing it as a vital contribution to improving the operational environment for emergency ambulance services. The district's emergency response capacity was significantly affected by the ambulance being off the road.
The Member of Parliament for the Talensi Constituency, Daniel Dung Mahama, contributed to the facility by drilling and mechanizing a borehole and providing a water tank to supply water to the renovated NAS office. The Assembly emphasizes that access to water is fundamental to the facility's functionality and sustainability. This intervention complements the renovation project and demonstrates collaboration between the District Assembly, Parliament, and development partners.
Stakeholders at the ceremony stress the need for continued collaboration among NAS, CRS, the Ghana Health Service, Parliament, traditional authorities, and development partners to strengthen emergency healthcare services. The District Assembly notes that sustainable development is achieved through institutional partnerships addressing development challenges. The Assembly urges NAS staff to take ownership of the facility and maintain it to a high standard.
The Assembly encourages NAS staff to utilize the improved working environment to provide effective and timely emergency services to the people of Talensi. The partnership between stakeholders should mark the beginning of stronger collaboration aimed at improving emergency response and ensuring better health outcomes for residents. The handover of the renovated facility marks a significant milestone in efforts to improve emergency referral and ambulance services in Talensi.
The renovation and expansion of the NAS office in Tongo are part of a broader effort to enhance emergency healthcare delivery in the district. By strengthening institutions and improving systems, stakeholders aim to create conditions that enable communities to access essential services with dignity and efficiency. The project contributes to better healthcare outcomes for women, children, families, and the wider population of the district.
Key points
- Catholic Relief Services renovates National Ambulance Service office in Talensi to improve emergency healthcare delivery
- The project aims to strengthen emergency healthcare services, particularly for women, newborns, and children
- Stakeholders stress the need for continued collaboration to further strengthen emergency healthcare services
