Prioritize needs in the health sector not drones –Mahama urges govt

Former President John Dramani Mahama has criticised the Akufo-Addo government for its decision to use drones to deliver medical essentials, especially to remote areas in the country.

“Instead of prioritising the needs of the health sector, the NPP government chose to acquire drones to fly blood”, he said in an address to supporters and other National Democratic Congress (NDC) faithful at the International Trade Fair Centre in Accra after filing his nomination to contest in the flag bearer race of the NDC on Monday, 17 December 2018.

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) introduced the drone deal to help deliver blood and essential medicines across the country, especially to rural communities. The transaction was approved by parliament on Tuesday, 11 December 2018, after three failed attempts.

Apart from the Minority in Parliament, civil society group such as IMANI Africa, have also kicked against the deal.

The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) is also calling for the suspension of the implementation, and has urged that there be “broader stakeholder consultations on the use of this autonomous remotely piloted aircraft system (drones) in healthcare delivery in the country”.

In Mr Mahama’s view, “This has been roundly condemned by the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) and the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists”, adding that the government needs to execute the critical needs of the health sector first.