In an effort to effectuate and increase access to communication in the Health Sector as well as sustainable access to information dissemination, the Ministry of Health has received huge donation of 391 pieces of two-way radios from Last Miles Health.
According to a statement from the Ministry, the items were donated over the weekend at the Ministry in Congo Town. The pieces of radios are expected to be distributed in order to better improve access to stable and sustainable communication and respond to situation at various levels of the health sector. It will, besides, enhance and influence the Ministry’s decision making at certain strategic levels, especially when it comes to drugs distribution and supervision.
The two-way secured digital radios have the capacity to make available long-distance communication with GPS tracking capabilities and video analytics for on and off-premise security. The value is put at approximately US$155,000.00
However, making a statement during the donation, Ministry of Health Deputy Minister for Administration (DMA) Norwu Howard asserted that communication has the power to either make or break an organization. “In my career, one of the most important tools is the tool of communication—it has the power to make or break an organization.
“And, I think in these times as we should adjust to the new manner—because if it is not COVID today, it’s going be to another infection, or it going to be another disaster. I think the tools of communication that we have now will help a long way in making sure that we as a ministry know what is going on; we as a ministry can communicate to people who need information; We as a health sector and a country can use the tools of communication to not only talk about the good things that are happening in the Ministry but also things that are happening in the public which are health related,” she noted.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Health boss has praised the Communication Department of the Ministry for consistently and rapidly uploading news contents on the Ministry’s website, which has promoted the Ministry’s activities both locally and internationally.
“The Department of Communication has done a great job in uploading news contents to various platforms of the Ministry, especially the website,” she praised.
In a special statement, Dr. Wilhelmina Jallah narrated that the donation came following a request to Last Miles Health to purchase some sets of radios that would be used to enhance effective communication at various levels.
“Whenever things happen in other parts of the country and it communicated to us, with this donation being made to us, we can move in to intervene immediately. However, one of our biggest networks that will use this donation is the supply chain.”
According to her, the radios will enhance routine services: “When we start distribution of the drugs to various counties across the country, these radios will monitor most of the activities. If anything happens on the way, somebody with the radio will immediately communicate it to us and we will move in. Even at the facility levels, our people will not struggle to communicate information to us. So, I think this is a very big milestone for us as a Ministry and people of this great republic. Disseminating proper information to our people in the various facilities, I think it is very important.”
Dr. Jallah lauded Last Mile Health for the collaboration and at the same time cautioned beneficiaries of the supply to immediately communicate every necessary information to the Ministry for tracking, vowing to use the donation for the intended purpose.