The Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has presented medical supplies to the Health Directorate of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to support their operations in communities affected by recent floods.

The items were presented on Thursday as part of the Assembly’s efforts to strengthen post-flood response, improve public health surveillance, support community health outreach and protect residents from possible health risks associated with flooding.

Items presented included 63 BP monitors, 63 Snellen’s charts, 63 glucometers, 63 packs of glucometer strips, 63 portable weighing scales, 63 MUAC tapes, 63 regular tape measures, 20 hanging scales, 20 infantometers, five weighing stands and 37 home visit bags.

Presenting the items, Hon. Allotey said the donation formed part of measures being taken by the Assembly to equip Metro Health Directorate with the necessary tools to respond effectively to the needs of residents after the floods.

He said the recent floods had created public health concerns in some communities, making it necessary for the Assembly to strengthen sanitation, disinfection, health screening, disease prevention and community-level support.

The Mayor said the Assembly recognised the important role played by health workers  especially during emergencies, and would continue to provide them with the needed logistical support to enable them to discharge their duties effectively.

He added that the post-flood response would not end with the removal of waste and debris, but would also include health-related interventions to protect vulnerable groups, including the elderly, women, children and persons living in flood-affected areas.

Dr Louisa Ademki Matey, the Metro Health Director at the AMA, who received the items, expressed gratitude to the Mayor and the President of the Republic of Ghana, H. E John Dramani Mahama for the support, assuring that the items would greatly enhance its community health work.

She said the work of the Directorate went beyond health facilities, adding that staff often moved into communities to bring healthcare closer to vulnerable residents, especially the elderly, women and children.

According to her, health workers sometimes visited communities without the necessary tools to provide immediate support, but the new equipment would help them assess blood pressure, sugar levels, eyesight, weight and other basic health indicators.

She said the BP monitors, glucometers, testing strips, Snellen’s charts and other equipment would enable health workers to take essential healthcare services closer to residents in line with the government’s vision of making free primary healthcare a reality.

Dr.  Matey promised that community health workers would be seen more frequently in the communities carrying out their assigned duties.

She thanked the Mayor for listening to the needs of the Directorate and said the support would make a meaningful difference in the delivery of healthcare services across the metropolis.