Mahama: Tricycles supplied to CHIPS compounds are not ambulances

President John Dramani Mahama has moved to correct widespread misconceptions about tricycles being distributed under the government’s free primary healthcare programme, insisting the vehicles are not intended to serve as ambulances.

Speaking during a sod-cutting ceremony for a proposed 24-hour economy market in Bimbilla as part of his Northern Region tour, the President addressed growing public debate, particularly on social media, regarding the purpose of the vehicles.

“Let me be clear. If you don’t understand something, ask. Don’t jump to conclusions. Those tricycles are not ambulances,” Mr Mahama stated.

The clarification follows the launch of the free primary healthcare programme two days ago in Dodowa, where equipment and vehicles were handed over to Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHIPS) compounds. The initiative targets over 6,000 CHIPS compounds nationwide.

According to the President, the tricycles are specifically designed to support frontline health workers and volunteers in conducting outreach services in remote communities.

“Those tricycles are meant for the health workers and the health volunteers to go from village to village for screening. That is what they are meant for,” he explained.

He noted that the tricycles are equipped with vaccine compartments capable of maintaining appropriate temperatures, enhancing their utility in immunisation drives.

The President also highlighted regional differences in deployment strategy, noting that mobility preferences vary among healthcare personnel across the country.

“In the north, a lot of our sisters who are health workers can ride motorcycles. In the south, many of the health workers cannot ride a motorcycle,” he said.

Consequently, motorcycles will be prioritised for CHIPS compounds in northern regions, while tricycles will be deployed in southern areas.

Mr Mahama stressed the vehicles’ critical role in preventative healthcare delivery, including vaccinations, blood pressure checks, and diabetes screening.

“I’ve seen a lot of people try to denigrate them and say that we’re going to bring these as ambulances. They are not ambulances,” he emphasised.

“I hope this will end all that argument and things on social media. Those tricycles, once again, are not ambulances. They are vehicles for the free primary healthcare volunteers to go around and do their work.”