Cape Coast, Nov. 17, GNA- The Central Regional Directorate of Health Services, on Friday took delivery of six ambulances valued at 45,000 dollars each, provided by the Ministry of Health, to improve the referral system in health care delivery.

The vehicles have been allocated to the Assin- Fosu and Apam Catholic hospitals and the Dunkwa-on Offin district, Abura-Dunkwa, and Ajumako hospitals, considered 93key strategic=94 hospitals located along the highways in the region, and the Central Region referral hospital.

A seventh ambulance has already been handed over to the authorities at the Winneba hospital.

A total of 65 drivers in the regional health directorate, have already undergone training in defensive driving and basic life support systems, such as resuscitation of patients in time of emergency, on the way to the referral points.

The Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur, who handed over the keys to the ambulances, exhorted the drivers to refrain from reckless driving and to ensure their proper maintenance.

Dr Aaron Offei, Regional Director of Health Services, tasked the drivers to endeavour to ensure that patients entrusted in their care are picked and delivered at the referral points on time. He also cautioned against acts that could put the lives of patients on referral at risk, and to particularly desist from the unnecessary use of the ambulance siren.