The leadership of the Health Services Workers’ Union of the Trade Union Congress has called on the government to as a matter of urgency assign police personnel to Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT).

The request comes on the back of a recent attack on a senior EMT who was transporting a pregnant woman in labour from the Akuse Government Hospital to the Koforidua Regional Hospital.

Reports indicate that Abraham Tetteh was shot in the eye by armed robbers on Thursday, February 4 but passed on in the early hours of Saturday, February 6.

A statement signed by the General Secretary of the Congress, Franklin Owusu Ansah, says “this despicable and barbaric act has left our members very traumatized and demoralized as the nation still battles with Covid-19.”

“We are also calling on the government to immediately assign the police to guard these EMT staff who work late in the night to help ward off some of these unfortunate attacks,” the statement read.

The members also called on the Ministry of Health, Fair Wages and Salaries Commission and the Management of the EMT to use the moment to complete discussions of the working conditions.

“Again, we call on the Ministry of Health to ensure all EMTs and the drivers of the ambulances because the National Ambulance Service is unable to pay for Workmen’s compensation for injured persons as required by the law,” the statement indicated.

Meanwhile, the group “In solidarity with Emergency Medical Technicians who are our members, we wish the victim’s family our sympathy and condolences.”

It also called on all EMT officers to stay calm as the leadership continues to engage the government to hasten the investigative process to bring the culprits to book.

The leadership further assured members of unflinching support “in this difficult and terrifying moments.”

“We shall work together to fight the course of all member,” the statement ended.