Accra, May 8, GNA - Dr. George Sipa Yankey, Minister of Health (MOH) on Friday handed over the keys of 126 vehicles made up of 120 Honda Civic and six VW Polo cars to the Ghana Health Service (GHS), for purchase by health workers. The vehicles, which were supplied by the Honda Place Ghana Limited and the Universal Motors Limited at reduced prices were among measures put in place by government to ensure quality life for all health personnel in the country.

Dr Yankey explained that they were the first batch of a total of 600 vehicles secured for the benefit of all health workers under the Ministry's Staff Vehicle hire purchase scheme, with repayment period of 84 months.

He said the remaining vehicles were still at the port awaiting clearance and gave the assurance that all who were to benefit would have their turn when they were ready. Dr Yankey said government was committed towards ensuring better conditions for all health workers and would soon launch a housing scheme to help ensure better accommodations for them. He called on all health workers to be patient and tolerant while being moderate in their demands from the government. "While you are enjoying all these benefits, be mindful to reciprocate the tax payer's gesture of ensuring the enhancement of both your social status and quality of living," he said. The Minister thanked the suppliers for honouring the deal and said government would ensure that all health workers benefited from the scheme.

Dr. Elias Sory, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, who is also the Chairman of the Committee which handled the purchasing of the vehicles, asked the various heads in the regions to ensure that beneficiaries received their vehicles. He said since the inception in 1997 the Ministry's Staff Vehicle hire purchase scheme had served 3,138 health workers majority of whom were medical officers. 08 May 09