Ho, Sept. 25, GNA - The US Department of Defence and US Embassy in Accra have jointly presented medical equipment worth 20,000 dollars to the management of Volta Regional Hospital in Ho and Adidome Hospital at Adidome.

The equipment included surgical apparatus, operating tables, incubators and adjustable beds. Quality Health Partners, a health promotion project under the aegis of United States Aid Agency (USAID) coordinated the help outreach for the equipment presented on Tuesday.

Ms Pamela Bridgewater, US Ambassador to Ghana said the presentation was in line with the Embassy's policy of providing "assistance both small and large to communities" to enhance cooperation between US and Ghana.

Mr Richard Killian, Project Director of Quality Health Partners, said General William Ward, Deputy Commander, United States European Command, mooted the idea for a quick mobilization of medical equipment for the two health institutions during his visit in August this year to the Adidome Hospital.

He said the thrust of the QHP project was to improve antenatal care, reduce maternal mortality and death of children less than five years in pursuance of Ghana's Millennium Development Goals. Mr Killian said about 380,000 dollars had been spent on various capacity building activities for health workers in selected districts over the past three years.

Mr Robert Moore, Deputy Director of US European Command's Logistic and Security Assistance Directorate said his unit was delighted to be associated with the medical help line for the two institutions. Dr Andrew Arde-Acquah, Volta Regional Director of Ghana Health Service (GHS) said the equipment would assist to alleviate frustrations medical workers go through working with defective gadgets. Dr Geoffrey Nyamuame, Medical Director of Volta Regional Hospital said many equipment in use at the hospital aught to be discarded, while emerging and more efficient equipment installed.