Healthcare
professionals in the Volta Region, specifically the Central Tongu district,
have recounted the positive impact the services of Zipline has had on
healthcare delivery. This comes after about a year since the company began
operations from the Anum center.
The Anum distribution center of Zipline currently
delivers medicines, vaccines and blood products to over 350 health facilities
in both the Volta and the Eastern Regions.
Some health professionals, during a recent media
tour to access the operations of Zipline, say there has been a significant
improvement in the overall health delivery and disease control in the district
as a result of the “fast, reliable and dependable” deliveries of Zipline.
A Senior Enrolled nurse at the Kpoviadzi Health
Center, Aisha Naa Kwamaah, revealed that the decision of the government to
partner Zipline is a worthwhile one as this has come to reduce many of the
challenges they had witnessed in the past.
“I must say that health delivery in this area
[Kpoviadzi] has seen a very significant improvement. Attendance at our health
facility has increased as many of the residents now know we will not refer them
to other secondary facilities as a result of non-availability of medical
commodities. Even if we don’t have a particular medicine to prescribe, we can
call Zipline who will definitely deliver within thirty minutes. We also do not
have to travel long kilometers to Adidome for medicine as we used to.
Aisha added; “Aside the improvements in health
outcomes, their services has helped in reducing the time spent to access
healthcare. We do not have to necessarily wait for the regular requisitions to
the district capital before we work. Our previous way of using commercial
vehicles to bring medical supplies has also drastically reduced”.
The Disease Control Officer at the Central Tongu
District Health Directorate, Vera Nyamata said her work in the region has seen
great improvements as a result of the partnership.
“Zipline has made our work towards reducing
disease prevalence in the district very productive. We no longer panic when
there is an outbreak of diseases because we are able to make multiple vaccine
requests from Zipline and they are delivered to us faster. Within riverine
communities where snake bites are more prevalent, the Zipline invention has
seen us stock the health facilities there with enough anti-snake venom serums
which are administered anytime we receive patients who have suffered snake
bites”.
A Principal Health Nurse at the Kpoviadzi Health
Center, Mercy Dugbenu was full of praise for the government since, according to
her, the choice of partnering Zipline is a bold one that is delivering real
results, particularly for those in remote areas.
The Community Lead for Zipline in Anum, Magdaline
Awushi Bukudah, told the media that the company has delivered over 1.3 million
units of medical commodities, vaccines, and blood units just within a year of
launching this center.
“There is no doubt that our services are truly
making the desired impact in the communities where we serve. We appreciate the
government and all other stakeholders who have given us the required social
license to operate; we remain committed to our core mandate of not letting
anyone behind in access to critical commodities when they need them the most.
Source:
Peacefmonline.com