The Government of Ghana has been taken aback by the Ghana Medical Association’s (GMA) stand on its drone project.

Although the government has mentioned that there would be no turning back on the $12.5m Fly Zipline contract, the Ghana Medical Association like the Minority in Parliament kicked against its timing. 

According to the GMA, the technology will not be a solution to the health care delivery challenges in the country without an improvement in human resource capacity.

The Association noted that, there are other needs of the health sector which has to be prioritised.

Government however has stated that, the contract was well thought out and as such will improve the health sector and save lives.

Pius Enam Hadzide, Deputy Information Minister, has also disagreed with the GMA that they were not consulted on the drone project.

He mentioned that during the Annual Health Summit of the association in April, Vice President Dr. Bawumia briefed them on the drone project, which they lauded.

Parliament afterwards gave approval to Government to go ahead to pay US-based Fly Zipline Inc $12,527,000 to distribute medical suppliers across the country with their drone equipment over a period of four years.

“Once the Parliament of Ghana has passed the deal, it is now binding; we are grateful to Parliament for that, it is now binding, and we expect that in the shortest possible time, implementation will commence,” he said.

By:StephanieHorsu/techvoiceafrica.com