Accra, Dec. 18, GNA- Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, Minister of Health, on Thursday said 590 million cedis have been released for the first phase of the National Ambulance Service programme, which would take off next year.

He said an additional 710 million cedis has also been approved for release for the pilot programme, starting in Accra and Kumasi using 10 ambulances equipped with modern communication gadgets.

Dr Afriyie said this in Accra when he handed over office equipment and a cheque for 210 million cedis as the feeding cost of trainees of the ambulance crew.

The equipment, which included one desk top computer, a printer, fax machine and an air conditioner was to equip the secretariat at the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) for the training of the crew scheduled to commence mid-January 2004.

Dr Afriyie said the country has had a heavy burden of deaths and disabilities due to the numerous accidents on our roads and homes to natural man-made disasters and to other medical and surgical emergencies.

He said about 15,000 people die each year to road accidents and 14,000 sustained various degrees of injuries with some leading to permanent disability.

"It is in this context that government has taken up the challenge to establish a 24-hour ambulance services with the capacity to respond promptly and effectively to emergency situations in the country in order to save lives and prevent unnecessary suffering", adding, 50 more ambulances were due to be placed in 2004.

He said the ambulance service with a multi-disciplinary approach include the Police, GNFS, NADMO, chiefs, elders, GPRTU, Ministries of Roads and Highways and the Ghana Health Service.

A draft policy to guide the operation has been presented to parliament for comments and approval.

"Guidelines for supervision, monitoring and evaluation of the ambulance service as well as set standards would be developed to regulate the training and performance of the crew", he said.

Mr Thomas Broni, deputy Minister of Interior who received the items on behalf of GNFS, said disaster prevention and management was an important part of any modern government and lauded government for the initiative.

He assured the Health Minister that GNFS would face the challenges given them and ensure its success.