Minister Visits Accident Victims In Tamale

Mr. Mark Wonyongo, Upper East Regional Minister has visited injured victims of last weekend's road crash involving a Metro Mass Transit Bus and a Benz Bus near Savelugu in the Northern Region, who are currently on admission at the Tamale Teaching Hospital. Official sources put the number of people who died in that crash at 29. Mr. Wonyongo was accompanied by a delegation from the Northern Regional Co-ordi including the Deputy Northern Regional Minister, Mr. Sam Nasamu Asabigi, the Tamale Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Haruna Friday, the Upper East Regional Manager of the Metro Mass Transit, Mr. Salifu Fusieni and some family members of the victims. Mr Woyongo interacted with the accident victims and wished them speedy recovery. He assured them that the needed support would be offered them to help them to recover fully. He commended the doctors and nurses for taking good care of survivors of the accident despite the challenges facing the hospital, and reiterated government's commitment to ensure that the Tamale Teaching Hospital received the necessary support to bring its standards at par with other Teaching Hospitals. The Regional Minister noted that the Tamale Teaching Hospital needed to be well equipped to enable it to handle emergency cases since it served as a referral hospital for the Upper East and Upper West Regions as well. He advised drivers to adhere strictly to road safety regulations and to ensure the use of seat belts. He also cautioned transport operators to take records of passengers who boarded their buses for easy identification in times of emergencies. Dr. Solomon Gumanga, Acting Medical Director at the hospital indicated that 20 patients were currently on admission at the facility and that their conditions were stable. He added that four of the victims who were previously in very severe conditions were gradually responding to treatment. He stated that the medical doctors and nurses were doing their best to ensure the victims received the best of care. He reiterated the need for drivers to be careful on the roads to prevent such unfortunate accidents. Mr. Salifu Fusieni, Upper East Regional Manager of Metro Mass Transit indicated that the company had taken up the bills and expenses of both the deceased victims at the mortuary and the injured ones who were currently on admission at the hospital. He stated that the company would ensure that its drivers observed strict road safety measures to prevent future road crashes.