The Ghana Armed Forces Medical Services (GAFMS) has held matriculation ceremony for eighty-nine (89) Military Emergency Medical Technicians (MEMT) at the 37 Military Hospital on Wednesday 22 November, 2023.
Speaking at the ceremony orgainsed at the Warrant Officers’ and Senior Non-commission Officers’ Mess of the hospital, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Ambulance Service (NAS), Professor Ahmed Nuhu Zakariah appreciated the Military Command for the training programme; first of its kind in the military and encouraged all security agencies in the country to embrace the initiative.
He encouraged authorities at the 37 Military Hospital employ the services of professionals or experts who have the requisite knowledge to impart on the course, emphasizing that a robust emergency medical service system could bridge the gap between the hospital and pre-hospital emergency medical service systems.
“As we age, we will retire and will one day visit the hospital and would be assisted by the MEMTs”. He added.
He advised the participants to take the course seriously because they would be responsible in stabilizing patients prior a Doctor’s treatment.
The Deputy Director-General of the GAFMS, Colonel (Col) Gordon Alexis Appiah said MEMT has become an integral component in addressing the manpower needs of GAFMS. He added that the role of the MEMTs as first respondents in casualty evacuation coupled with the delivery of prompt and efficient health care, both in the hospital and in the field, cannot be underestimated.
“We all look forward to the day patients are no longer transported in private vehicles and taxis for healthcare delivery. To the day when they get moved appropriately with expert handling according to internationally accepted standards”. He added.
He described the facilitators as the best in Emergency Technician training, emphasizing their readiness and willingness to impart knowledge and share valuable experiences with the students. He advised the students to give the facilitators their maximum attention and collaborate with them in all aspects of the training to achieve success.
Director Nursing GAFMS, Colonel (Col) Rex Adzagba said the functions of MEMT in the healthcare system has come to stay and has become part of requirement of some of the medical facilities across the country and beyond.
He advised the participants to be disciplined, adding that successful completion of the course was key to their success.
Present at the occasion were the Commanding Officer 37 Military Hospital Col Richard Mensah, Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) Administration Col Rahinatu Alando, CNO Clinical Col Patience Owusu Aidoo, Administrative Officer (Medical) Lt Col Alex Abiti, Administrative Officer (General) Lt Col Emmanuel Yobanya, acting Director Operations of NAS Dr. Foster Ansong-Bridjari and some Officers of the formation.
