The United States Agency for International Development ( USAID) Mission in Ghana has donated 1,000 bicycles and 1,000 backpacks  filled with insecticides- treated bed nets, family planning commodities, counselling cards and oral rehydration salts  valued at which cost about USD 150,000 to the Ministry of Health. The items are for distribution to about 30 districts across the country to facilitate the work of the Community Health Volunteers who have been trained in Child Health, Maternal and infants care, Family planning counselling and Prevention of Malaria.

Presenting the items in Accra, Friday, the Acting Director of the USAID, David Atteberry, said that  the United States , through the USAID, has had on previous occasions presented similar items including motorbikes and other medical equipment to the Ministry of Health, to help improve the quality of health care and access to basic health care in rural and underserved communities.

He said the donation, , is part of USAID bilateral commitment to improve the health status of Ghanaians. Adding that the donation will strengthen and expand the largest community  based health service delivery  across the country and will also support the Community Based Health Planning Service (CHPS) initiatives.

Mr Atteberry also commended the government for expanding the Community Health Training Institutions across the country  and re-iterated  that the CHPS initiative is an important component of the government of Ghana's poverty strategy which is  to increase equity and quality of health care.

Receiving the items, the Minister for Health, Major  Courage Quashigah, thanked the USAID mission for their contribution to the development of the health sector in this country and promised that the equipment will be put to good use.