Asakai (W/R) Sept 16, GNA - Dr Kwame Addo Kufuor, the Minister of Defence, on Tuesday called on the United States Government to set up a medical corps at the Cape Coast Regional Hospital which is virtually empty.

He made the call when he visited an outreach clinic mounted by medical personnel of the United States Navy and Ghanaian military and civilian medical staff at Whindo/Asakai near Sekondi. The Defence Minister was accompanied by Ms Mary Yates, United States Ambassador in Ghana, Mr Joseph Boahen Aidoo, Western Regional Minister, Rear Admiral John Gbena, Chief of naval Staff and Major Ronald Kinser, Military Attach=E9 at the US Embassy, Accra.

Dr Addo-Kufuor said the medical corps could undertake outreach programmes in rural areas and in communities where urgent medical attention is needed.

He said the two-week outreach medical programme in eight communities in the Western Region has been very useful and is worthy of emulation by medical organisations.

Dr Addo-Kufuor said the outreach programme, which forms part of the West Africa Training Course of the United States and Ghana Armed Forces, should be institutionalised and made a permanent feature. Mrs Yates said the Western Region was chosen for this year's outreach programme because of the health needs of people in the selected communities.

She commended Ghanaian medical staff that took part in the programme saying it is with their support that the programme has been so successful.