The Okoa Project and Virtue Foundation has launched five of its first prototype of a locally manufactured tricycle ambulance.

The invention is to be used for a piloting phase in some five communities including; Nabulo, Nabugubelle, Sakai, Kong, and Bawiesibelle in the Sissala East District of the Upper West Region.

According to the Foundation, the creation was designed in consultation with local innovators, artisans, and community leaders, and members from over 20 communities in the Sissala East district.

With over five years of experience in working with communities in both Tanzania and Ghana, the Foundation was convinced that the availability of locally manufactured tricycle ambulances will transform the health sector of people.

The organisation believed that “to connect every family to healthcare when they need it most, with a strong focus on reducing maternal mortality.”

“Our ambulances are designed by the communities that we work with, combining deep local knowledge with our technology-focused group of experts. The ambulances are designed with custom suspension for comfort on difficult roads, and custom telemetry sensors that provide real-time GPS tracking. We are confident that this technology-focused approach will allow us to disrupt the emergency transportation space and save lives – one ride at a time,” parts of the statement read.

The Okoa Project has been working with communities to collaborate and co-create emergency transport solutions for the past five years and is well equipped to contribute to this goal of universal health coverage.

It aims to redefine emergency transportation from the ground up and is passionately working on the goal of country-wise health access alongside the Ghana Health Service.