The Minority in Parliament has charged government to immediately deploy the 8 mobile clinic vans procured under the National Democratic Congress administration during its time in power.

Ranking member on Parliament’s Health Committee, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh disclosed that the vans are rotting away at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, whilst healthcare delivery in rural areas remains poor.

“These vans were brought into the country six years ago and they were deployed to the ‘hard-to-reach’ areas to provide services but unfortunately for more than 3 years, these vans have been packed here and it’s rotting away.

“We need them in the hinterlands. We entered one of the vans and the interior was chilled, it means the air condition is working, so why are they packed here,” he asked.

The mobile-clinic vans, registered in the year 2014 has the Twi inscription ‘Onua dor’ which translates to ‘Neighbourly Love’, power generators and interiors fitted with air-conditions.

Checks by Joy News revealed that the erstwhile Mahama administration planned to procure a total of 40 vans and was in the process of securing funds for its operations before it exited office in 2016.

The specialised vans, designed for general medicine, ophthalmology, dentistry and audiology assessment were also meant to bridge the gap between urban and rural healthcare.

But addressing the press after assessing the condition of the vans, Mr. Akando believes government can still put the vans to good use.

“It is quite disheartening to know that this government is joking with the health sector of this country. I believe that if there is any sector at all that must be prioritized then it should be the health sector.

“Unfortunately this government is joking. How are we putting to good use the taxpayers’ money? They have been packed for more than three years... What crime have we committed? They must be put to use. If the President or the Minister of Health is listening, we need them to sit up,” he said.