The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) says it still stands by its position on the controversial 12.5 million-dollar drone contract despite government’s resolve to begin broader consultation with its members.
Government Wednesday directed the Ministry of Health to begin broader consultation with the GMA and other stakeholders in the health sector following concerns raised by the Association, which called for implementation of the contract to be suspended.
The GMA members held that though they are a key stakeholder in the healthcare delivery in the county, the government did not consult them on the contract to be implemented by the US firm, Zipline International Inc.
It thus underscored the need for a broader stakeholder consultation on the issue to set some fundamentals before the implementation of the policy.
The GMA said as stakeholders in the policy, it is appropriate for that they offer their perspective on the matter even though they have not been consulted.
An emergency meeting chaired by the vice president Dr. Mahamamudu Bawumia Wednesday resolved to do broader consultation with the various stakeholders.
But Deputy National Secretary of GMA, Dr. Titus Beyuo said the outcome of their meeting with the government does not in any way mean they are backing off their calls for the suspension of the project.
While welcoming the decision by government to engage them, he told Accra-based 3FM Wednesday that “the position of the GMA still stands”.
He said the GMA expects government to come to the consultation table with “open mind to hear all the issues or challenges that everybody coming there will bring … and take a very well-informed decision”.
He said the Association is still waiting for the government to write to them specifying what form the “enhance consultations” will take.
“We have been informed that we should expect a written communication to that, this is a fallout from the meeting… so we are waiting for the official communication that will tell us the details of that enhance consultation”, Dr. Beyuo said.
The much-criticsed drone contract that will see US firm Zipline distribute blood and essential medical supplies to various health facilities in the country was approved by a parliamentary majority Tuesday.
GMA had raised concerns about a possible nonconformity of the drone service delivery with the existing health delivery policy of the country.
The Association also noted the technology per se would not solve the problems in the health sector without recourse to human resource development.
Government shocked by GMA position on drone project; insists deal will stand
But government expressed shock at the posture of GMA, stating the association had earlier welcome the innovation when it was first announced.
Source: 3news.com
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Mother Ghana When will we ever be grateful for good innovations. Even poor war ridden Rwanda is embracing technology. The people the fast track logistics delivery will enhance their work are also been petty because they were not consulted. What a nation, am ashamed of what i read. If gov. should consult every stakeholder on what ever he wants to do then nothing will ever be done. ***barred word*** professional who dont care weather we die or not.
u are a bigger 1d-10t and an embarrassment to mother Gh. Why that anytime someone raises a genuine concern then u people resort to insults. Is this drones deal the best for us as a nation? God will surely punish all hypocrites in the nation.
@ Nana Peter You are an 1d-10t.All the different categories of health professionals that you mention ,tell me when they graduated.Why did that certified th1-ef Mahama not place them?Sit there in your hovel and wish that the NPP would be put to shame.Nana Addo has done more in 2 years than the kleptomaniac in 8 years.
Doctors ,Nurses, Pharmacist,Lab- technologist are wasting at home our hospitals need them to work NPP, GOVERNMENT Nana Addo and Bawuliar will not post them to save lives and yet want to loot the state money through this drone deal. LOOTERS CLUB NPP, GOD WILL PUT YOU TO SHAME 2020.