Regional News of Saturday, 4 March 2006

Source: GNA

Accident victim conveyed to ward in a taxi

Sekondi, March 4, GNA - The lack of an ambulance at the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital on Saturday, compelled the nurses and other staff on duty to convey an accident victim from the Casualty/Emergency Ward to Ward C in a rented taxi.

The male victim who had multiple fractures on both legs, had to be transported in the Cab to the dismay of patients. Some of the patients had to assist in carrying the man from the mobile stretcher into the Taxi, which was likely to worsen his situation because those who helped in lifting and putting him into the Cab had no training in the handling of patients.

The Effia Nkwanta Hospital, which is the only referral facility in the region, had for several years not owned an ambulance. Patients the Ghana News Agency interviewed urged the Ministry of Health (MOH), Ghana Health Service (GHS) and other stakeholders and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to provide an ambulance for the hospital.