<<Print>>

The Minister of Health, Dr Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah, has urged emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to be cautious in the management of emergency equipment like the ambulances and its accessories. Dr Agyemang-Mensah said although the work of EMTs entail emergencies, they should not lose sight of speed limits and other road users who ignore the blaring sirens and would not give way for them to arrive quickly and safely at the health facility. �Regardless of this negative attitude of some road users towards you, it is important for me to caution you against any unacceptable form of behaviour that is likely to bring the name of Nation al Ambulance Service (NAS) and the ministry into disrepute,� he warned. The minister was speaking at the passing out parade of the Emergency Medical Technicians Batch VI held at the Fire Academy and Training School (FATS) in Accra. A total of 196 EMTs recruits graduated after two years of rigorous training in pre-hospital care to the wounded and sick before transporting them to the hospital. Charge to NAS Dr Agyemang-Mensah, highlighting the importance of strengthening emergency care, charged the National Ambulance Service to put in place additional efforts to strengthen timely and effective delivery of emergency care which is an essential part of integrated healthcare delivery. �I have observed that emergency care in our health facilities has always been a challenge, and also I urge the CEO of NAS to continue to organise in-service training and workshops to develop and strengthen the emergency medical care systems in the country to improve the health of the population,� he said. Ebola Scare Pointing to the danger the deadly Ebola virus poses to the country and the world at large, the health minister said government is leaving no stone unturned, adding that the distribution of 10,000 personal protective equipment have been made to the various health centres and agencies as well as tertiary institutions in the country. He said in spite of the provision by government, an epidemic such as Ebola requires proactive and not reactive actions by health workers including EMTs towards the management and containment of disease. �I urge you to be effective and efficient in the discharge of your duties and gladly accept posting to any district that your service would be most needed,� he said. Awards The ceremony witnessed recruits who have excelled in their training receiving awards. Eric Adu was adjudged the Overall Best Student, while Confidence Maxwell Aflao took the award for Best Psycho-Motor and Skills. Eugenia Gyapomaa Obeng received the Chief Executive Officer of NAS award for her discipline and hard work and Musah Mohammed took the award for Best in Foot Drills.