The Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Anthony Nsiah Asare has said he is using technology to build systems that will transform healthcare delivery.
Touting the role he played in the deal between drone delivery company, Zipline and the Government of Ghana, he said Zipline drone service for the delivery of essential medical supplies will enhance healthcare at all levels.
Speaking in an Interview on Citi TV‘s news analysis program, the Point of View, Dr. Nsiah Asare disclosed that when his tenure as the GHS Director General comes to an end, he also wants to be remembered for putting systems in place to ensure an efficient health system in the country.
Dr. Nsiah Asare said he is confident Ghanaians will remember him for the role he played in the implementation of the Zipline Drone deal which is already saving lives.
Dr. Nsiah Asare said his administration has been focused on putting in place an effective and efficient health system such as getting the Community-Based Health Planning and Services popularly known as CHPs running again.
“What I think I have done, for the past two and half years, since I have come, I have tried to put systems in place, because health service systems is the most important. In health it doesn’t matter if you put in millions of dollars and you don’t have systems in place it will fail. That is what we have done, that is what we are doing, I want to complete as quickly as possible, to make sure the CHPS system is working very well, the sub districts are working very well.
“In addition, introducing technology for efficient health services, is one thing, I am very proud of, the drone system, and I am sure people will remember me for it, when they realise that the drones are saving lives and saving money for the Ghana Government.”
Zipline International, a health-tech drone-delivery company that launched its service in Rwanda three years ago announced it had officially expanded its operations to Ghana on Wednesday 24th April 2019.
This move made the company the world’s largest autonomous medical drone delivery service.
‘Zipline in Ghana’
The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, in April this year, launched the drones-for-medical-supplies initiative at Zipline’s first distribution centre at Omenako, a town in the Suhum Municipality in the Eastern Region.
The $12.5 million contract is to enable the Ghana Health Service to fly blood and other essential medical supplies to deprived and hard-to-reach areas.
When at full operations, Zipline expects to be running over 150 flights per day from each of its four distribution centres nationwide.
Prior to the official launch, Zipline had been conducting its final testing and diagnostics of its equipment by flying a drone to deliver vaccines to the New Tafo Hospital in the Eastern Region.
Contract extension for GHS boss
President Nana Akufo-Addo has today [11th June 2019] extended the contract of the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Anthony Nsiah Asare by another year.
A letter sighted by Citi News and signed by Secretary to the President, Nana Asante Bediatuo says the President was acting on a letter sent to his office by the Ghana Health Service Council.
Per the Public Service Act, any public official who turns 60 years and due for retirement can have his or her stay extended by five years.
The President who also congratulated Dr. Nsiah Asare in the letter asked the Director of the Ghana Health Service to within 14 days indicate his acceptance or otherwise of the extension of service.
“With reference to a letter dated 6th May, 2019, from the Ghana Health Service Council on the subject matter above, I am pleased to inform you that the President has granted you a one-year extension of service as Director-General of the Ghana Health Service effective 23rd May 2019 to 22nd May 2020.”
“I take this opportunity to congratulate you formally on your extension of service. Kindly indicate your acceptance or otherwise of this extension of service within 14 days of receipt of this letter. Please accept the President’s best wishes.” The letter read.
