Nkenkaasu (Ash), July 01, GNA – The Offinso Traditional Council has urged the government to, as a matter of urgency, prioritize the expansion of the Paramedic and Emergency Care Training School (PECT).

“The school needs a facelift. Some of us particularly the paramountcy are not happy with the development of the school which still remains just as it was handed over by the Paramount Chief to the National Ambulance Service (NAS).”

Nana Kwaku Dua II, the Acting President of the Offinso Traditional Council, said these at a passing-out parade of the Batch Eleven (11) Emergency Medical Technicians at Nkenkaasu in the Offinso North District.

A total of 393 Emergency Medical Technicians were outdoored after completion of one the year programme.

They received training in carrying out procedures such as bleeding control, supplemental oxygen administration, and splinting (including full spinal immobilization), among others.

“This is the only training school that turns out our paramedics and that is why we are calling for your support to build the school to an international standard,” Nana Dua II, said.

He said the NAS continued to play a very critical role in the health sector and therefore needed to be a well resource to be able to perform its mandate as expected.

The Chief pledged the traditional authority’s resolve in working closely with the NAS in the areas of training, security and provision of pre-hospital care.

“We in Offinsoman wish to assure you that we shall be your protector and not people who always want to have a standoff with you, we have taken it upon ourselves to provide the needed support that you may need from us.”

Ms Tina Mensah, a Deputy Minister for Health, said the government was committed to ensuring that health service delivery was brought to the doorsteps of every Ghanaian.

She said the Ministry was administering, maintaining and operating a nationwide comprehensive emergency medical services system designed to reduce medical emergency deaths, injuries and permanent long-term disabilities.

The Deputy Minister said it was in line with this that the NAS was being supported to build capacities to provide an effective and comprehensive pre-hospital emergency care system for everyone living in Ghana.

GNA