Pharmacist and D&D Fellow on Public Health at CDD-Ghana, Kwame Sarpong Asiedu, has called for a more deliberate approach to emergency pre-hospital care in Ghana.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, he stressed that the country lacks awareness and preparedness when it comes to handling medical emergencies.
“We are so illiterate when it comes to emergency pre-hospital care that we need to start being very intentional in our homes and workplaces. It is only when we become intentional as a country and the information starts spreading that we can then think about the fine details…at what levels do we introduce it? Should it be part of education for senior high schools, university students, workplaces, and other areas?”
This follows public concerns over the tragic death of an Asante Kotoko fan, which has brought out discussions on Ghana’s emergency response systems.
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Mr Sarpong Asiedu lamented the country’s failure to take emergency medical care seriously, highlighting that similar incidents occur daily but often go unnoticed.
“Because we are so unintentional about these things, we have even seen former heads of state pass away under circumstances that raise questions. That is why when I hear people asking what happened in Nsoatreman, I feel sad. What happened there happens every day in Ghana.”
He further emphasised that many people who do not have a public voice or influence suffer similar incidents regularly.
“It will take professionals to tell you how people arrive at hospitals in critical conditions at accident and emergency units. This is a situation we must address as a country.”
According to him, the only reason the Nsoatreman incident is receiving attention is because it happened during a football match that involved Asante Kotoko in a Ghana Premier League game, which had journalists present to report on it.
“What happened in Nsoatreman was just because it was a football match, there were journalists around, and it was a Premier League game, that is why we are highlighting it. But the sad truth is, this is a daily occurrence.”
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