The Donated Tricycle Ambulance
The Presbyterian Agricultural Service and Child Development Programme, in collaboration with the Christian Children Fund Canada, have donated a tricycle ambulance to the Janton traditional area to aid health delivery in the catchment area.
The absence of ambulance service in the Janton catchment area has mostly been the main cause of death in the area.
Worse affected are pregnant women and patients seeking emergency treatment.
Speaking to DAILY GUIDE, the Municipal Director of Health Service, Madam Gertrude Yentumi, said the tricycle ambulance has come at the right time and would go a long way to help combat maternal and infant mortality in the Janton traditional area.
According to her, the donation of the ambulance will compliment  measures by her office to reduce maternal and infant mortality in the area.
She made an assurance that the tricycle ambulance would be used for its intended purpose. She further added that a committee would be set up comprising community members, chiefs, elders and opinion leaders to ensure regular servicing and maintenance of the ambulance.
DAILY GUIDE has gathered that nurses posted to the Janton traditional area mostly opt for reposting or never report to the station due to  lack of accommodation.
Madam Gertrude Yentumi noted that accommodation was one of the several challenges faced in the area. She called on government, NGOs and co-operate bodies to come to the aid of the traditional area to provide accommodation for nurses posted to the area.
The project leader for the Presbyterian Agricultural Service and Child Development Programme, Edward Abanga, said the donation became necessary after assessing the challenges of health delivery in the area.
He was hopeful that the tricycle ambulance would help reduce maternal and infant mortality in the traditional area and also aid in the transfer of patients in referral cases.
However, Edward Abanga entreated the Municipal Health Director and the community at large to ensure the ambulance is kept in good shape and used for its intended purposes.
The outgoing Northern Regional Presbyterian Chairman, Rev. Dr. Solomon Sale-Saa Sumani, admonished other Christian organizations to give back to society in the areas of health, education, among others.
He said true Christianity has to be translated into relationships where neighbours and well-to-do individuals, organizations and churches play their roles in ensuring development and growth in society.
FROM Eric Kombat, Tamale