Winneba (C/R), Aug 1, GNA - The Awutu-Effutu-Senya District Directorate of the Ghana Health Service has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) to transport pregnant women in labour to health facilities free of charge. Under the agreement GPRTU branch leaders are to educate their members those in towns and remote communities to ensure the success of the exercise. This brings to 12 the number of Districts in the Central Region that have such agreement with the GPRTU. The idea initiated by the Regional Directorate of the GHS in collaboration with the various District Directorates to reduce the high rate of maternal mortality and morbidity in the region. Speaking at the function, Dr Aaron Offei, Regional Director of Health Services, expressed appreciation to the GPRTU for embracing the idea.

This is the first time a private transport organisation had accepted to assist the Ministry of Health in this direction, Dr Offei noted and said lack of regular and reliable transport in rural communities was one of the major factors of undermining safe delivery in the country. He said statistics indicated that about 250 children were delivered in Kasoa alone every month and stated that Regional Directorate had instituted a scheme to honour drivers who conveyed more pregnant women to hospital and clinics every year. Mr Solomon Abbam Quaye, District Chief Executive and Dr G K Morrison, District Director of Health Services, expressed their appreciation to the Union. Mr Abbam Quaye noted that the children they saved through their humanitarian services could be future leaders. Neenyi Obosu II, Chief of Effutu Atteitu and Chairman of the Winneba Branch of the GPRTU signed on behalf of the Union and pledged the support of the drivers to achieve the objectives of the agreement.