Residents and concerned citizens in the Akatsi South Municipality of the Volta Region are calling for urgent intervention following concerns over the reported lack of a functional ambulance at the Akatsi South Hospital.
Residents say the hospital has been without a reliable ambulance for a considerable period, raising concerns about the transportation of patients who require emergency care or referral to other health facilities.
An ambulance plays an important role in emergency healthcare by providing timely and appropriate transportation for patients while allowing medical personnel to offer essential care during transit.
Residents fear that the situation could pose challenges during emergencies such as road accidents, severe bleeding, heart attacks, strokes, breathing difficulties, complications during childbirth and other conditions that require immediate medical attention and transportation.
They say the absence of a functional ambulance may also place an additional financial and logistical burden on families, who may have to search for private vehicles or alternative means of transporting patients during emergencies.
According to residents, private vehicles may not always be suitable for transporting patients in critical conditions, particularly when specialised emergency support is required.
They are therefore appealing to the relevant authorities and stakeholders to provide a reliable ambulance to the Akatsi South Hospital to strengthen emergency response and improve healthcare delivery within the municipality.
Residents stressed that their concern should not be interpreted as a political matter or an attack on any individual or political party.
They said access to emergency healthcare is a basic need that affects everyone, regardless of political affiliation, age, social background or status.
According to them, anyone can suddenly require emergency medical attention, making reliable emergency transportation an important community need.
Residents are therefore calling on citizens to support genuine development concerns and avoid turning legitimate community challenges into political arguments.
They believe that when residents identify challenges affecting their communities, stakeholders should work together to find practical solutions rather than focus on political differences.
They are also calling on municipal leaders, health authorities, traditional authorities, businesses, development partners and other well-meaning individuals to explore possible avenues to secure a functional ambulance for the hospital.
Residents believe that providing an ambulance would not only improve emergency response and patient transfers but could also strengthen public confidence in the local healthcare system.
The situation, they say, highlights the need for continued investment in emergency healthcare services within the municipality.
They acknowledge that hospitals may have medical professionals, medicines and other facilities, but emphasise that reliable transportation is equally important when patients need urgent transfer to another facility.
Residents are therefore urging the relevant authorities to treat the matter as a priority and work towards a lasting solution.
They stressed that their objective is not to blame individuals or create political tension but to draw attention to what they consider a genuine community need.
The residents maintain that the people of Akatsi South deserve accessible and reliable emergency healthcare services and that providing a functional ambulance to the Akatsi South Hospital would be an important step towards strengthening emergency medical response and patient care.
They are calling on all stakeholders to unite behind the issue, describing it as a call for improved healthcare, community development and the protection of lives.
By Hutor Dziwornu, Fafaa 100.3 FM, Dzodze
Edited by Isabella Evortepe