Image copyright Reuters Image caption Critics of the scheme say Ghana has many other health problems which are extra pressing
A row has broken out in Ghana over the federal government’s determination to buy unmanned drones to deliver blood and essential medicines.
The government desires the drones to deliver to hospitals nationwide, particularly in faraway areas.
Some MPs say they want extra spent on clinics and ambulances as opposed to what they name a high-tech vainness venture.
Government minister Pius Enam Hadzide rejected the complaint, saying the plan sought to enhance well being services.
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The Ghana Medical Affiliation called for the instant suspension of the newly authorized drones deal, arguing that it might now not solve the country’s health problems and needed to be examined on a trial basis first.
Mr Hadzide, the deputy minister of knowledge, mentioned he was once “greatly surprised” by means of the feedback, pronouncing the affiliation have been consulted. But he also mentioned “our doors remain open for further engagement and consultation”.
The scheme used to be recently licensed alongside partisan strains by way of 102 votes to FIFTY EIGHT, and is set to be applied subsequent 12 months.
Media captionWATCH: Drones ship blood supplies in Rwanda
A US company, Zipline World Inc, is to be paid more than $12m (£9.5m) to run the mission for four years.
Opposition MP Cassiel Ato Forson stated the government had negotiated an “extremely bad” deal with Zipline.
The BBC’s Favour Nunoo in Ghana says that earlier this yr it was once pronounced that the rustic had fewer than FIFTY FIVE ambulances serving a inhabitants of 29 million.
He says this has angered a few individuals of the general public who assume the drones scheme isn’t suitable given the demanding situations that exist in the well being sector.
The case of drone use in Rwanda has been stated via supporters of the Ghana deal, our correspondent says, but critics argue that Rwanda on the time had a extra powerful healthcare device.
