Emergency support vital to health care

The Chief Director of Health, Mrs Salimata Abdul-Salam, has commended the Chief Fire Officer and Commandants of the Fire Academy and Training School for their immense support towards the establishment of the Emergency Medical Technicians unit (EMTs).

She said the  EMTs would  provide pre-healthcare to the sick and the wounded in times of fire outbreaks before they are conveyed to health facilities for further medical attention.

She said  it was necessary to improve on healthcare services and also reduce encumbrances brought on by disease.

“We can succeed in doing this if we discipline ourselves by way of practising personal hygiene and living healthy lifestyles,” she said.

Mrs Abdul-Salam was speaking at the  passing-out parade of 270 emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and driver recruits at the National Fire Academy and Training School (FATS) in Accra.

The trainees underwent  a 12-month programme including practical attachment to ambulance stations and health facilities.

Spread of cholera

She said the cholera epidemic which took a toll on the country had since been brought under control.  

She blamed the rapid spread of cholera in the country on the poor management of food and water sold on the streets, poor sanitation and poor accessibility to safe water in the areas where the disease was dominant. 

She urged people to practise personal hygiene in order to keep the disease at bay. 

Emergency care — a challenge

Mrs Abdul-Salam said the provision of emergency care which preceded hospital care for the sick and the wounded must be an integral part of any healthcare system. 

She said emergency care at health facilities in the country had always been a challenge.

“I therefore urge the National Ambulance Service (NAS) to continue to organise in-service training programmes aimed at developing and strengthening its emergency medical care system and to make it readily accessible,” she said.