Vice President , Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has commissioned the 3rd Zipline distribution center at Vobsi in the North East Region.
According to the Vice President , the decision of government to adopt the revolutionary service of using drones to deliver on-demand , emergency medical commodities has not only made Ghana the host to the biggest medical drone delivery system on the continent but has also significantly improved access to basic emergency medical commodities by health facilities.
“ There is no doubt that this project is yet another testament of the desire of the Nana Addo led government not to leave anyone behind in the provision of basic healthcare needs of our people.”
He stressed that health professionals have openly testified how the technology has contributed to boost their morale, with the full assurance that even in very difficult moments like shortage of blood products during emergencies , Zipline will deliver in time.
Dr. Bawumia said success stories have motivated government to continue to prove leadership for Ghanaians and investment in their lives so that Ghana does not lose valuable lives as a result of non-availability of critical medical commodities.
The Vice President stated that the opposition NDC criticized when the Zipline project began, saying that the drones were made to take pictures of people in their bathrooms in the villages.
“Today , the many success stories on ground have proven us right. Good governance and bold decisions such as this are what move countries forward. I am therefore glad we engaged Zipline for this extraordinary drone service.”
Dr. Bawumia revealed that regions such as Upper West, Volta, Oti, Savannah and Bono East which does not benefit from the life-saving services will soon be reached out to meet their medical emergencies.
“ I am glad to hear the Ministry of Health , Ghana Health Service and other key stakeholders have already initiated some discussions with Zipline towards expanding the drone services to other deprived and hard-to reach communities. I therefore wish to encourage them to speedy up the discussions.”
The Vice President , charged Zipline to speedy up the non-boarding process of health facilities within the operational range of the existing distribution centers so that the people would benefit from their full capability.
“ permit me for purpose of clarity to say that the cost of this life-saving intervention is not borne by the government. The Ministry of Health has engaged the services of a fund-raising company to raise funds for the payment of this service. I am informed that some organizations have donated money to the ministry for the payment of the services and others have made pledges as part of their corporate social responsibility and strategy.”
He assured that the Nana Addo led government is fully committed to fixing the challenged that confront the country adding that development is taking place in the areas of education, health,agriculture and every area of the economy.
“ When we say our records are far superior for which we ask for 4 more to do more, the overwhelming evidence is there to show with what this government has done within just 4 years , I have no doubt on my mind that Ghanaians will renew our mandate come December just so that we could do more for them.”
The Zipline Managing Director, Mr. Daniel Marfo said they had delivered a total of 122,000 million bits of medical commodities including blood products to over 1,000 health facilities across all the four distribution centers.
“ it’s significant to note that this particular site has already started supplying medical products to health facilities within the 5 regions of the North.”
The Zipline Manager revealed that during the period of Covid-19, they assisted in delivering PPEs to a number of health facilities particularly within the hard to reach areas.
“This particular center distributed PPEs and hand sanitizers to over 65 health facilities within a day thereby ensuring that no front line worker felt unprotected in those facilities.
Mr. Marfo said whilst several communities such as Gbintiri and Zorko have been cut off by the floods , the residents of these communities still have access to medical products via Zipline’s drone.
“Your Excellency through your visionary leadership and our cutting edge technology several communities such as Sakogu and Fumbinsi who during the rainy season have no access to medical because of the state of their roads for the first time in years have access to the blood and medical products.”
He thanked President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President , Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for believing that there are always new and groundbreaking ways of solving today’s challenges using technology.
FROM Eric Kombat, Vobsi