From 2001 to 2006, a total of 250 motorbikes belonging to the Ministry of Health (MoH) were reportedly stolen from the various health institutions spread throughout the country. The incidence of theft was prevalent in the three Northern Regions and that most of the stolen motorbikes were sold in neighbouring countries, a report of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament on the Performance Audit Report of the Auditor-General on Transport Operations in the Ministry has revealed. MoH officials, who confirmed the theft to the committee, said the Yahama AG 100 used by the Ministry "was of high value and of high demand in the neighbouring countries. This makes the Ministry's motorcycle brand highly attractive to thieves", the Report revealed. Among the measures put in place by the MoH to stall the illegal act, is the institution of "disciplinary action against some of its personnel where investigations revealed their culpability in the stealing of some of its motorcycles". Other steps to deal with the theft include adaptation of standard colours (blue and white) for easy identification, provision of security alarms and headlocks, as well as collaboration with security personnel within Ghana and at the border post of neighbouring countries, the report further disclosed. In its recommendations, The Public Accounts Committee, chaired by Hon. Samuel Sallas Mensah, MP for Upper West Akyem, urged the MoH to "fast track the process of reviewing the current brand of motorbikes in favour of the other equally high performing motorbikes that are less attractive." The Mission of the MoH and Ghana Health Service (GHS), according to the report is to improve the health status of all people living in Ghana through the development and promotion of proactive policies for good health and longevity and provision of quality health services that are affordable and accessible. "One important component for the realization of this mission is transportation". Earlier studies conducted by the MoH, the Report noted, identified inefficient transport support as a barrier to effective health delivery. The Ministry and some donors had expressed concern at the seemingly endless requirement for new vehicles for health sector without being able to measure the impact of such vehicles. "The primary objective of the Ministry's transport services is to ensure availability and reliability of transport as an essential logistic for delivery of health services. This is to be done in a most cost effective and efficient manner," said the report. The audit was therefore to examine the general management of the transport operations of the MoH and to determine whether or not this was done in the most cost effective and efficient manner in support of quality health delivery and to make appropriate recommendations to enhance economy, efficiency and effectiveness. It looked at the acquisition, allocation, management and maintenance of transport resources in support of health care delivery in Ghana from 1997 to 2004. The Public Accounts Committee observed that the MoH has no insurance policy for its vehicles and this aberration pertains to almost all MDAs. "Government and MDAs have over the years not made any budgetary provision for vehicle insurance. As a result, MDAs and victims of accidents involving official vehicles cannot benefit from any compensation," the Report disclosed. The Report further observed, that the MoH recorded 100 and 25 road traffic accidents involving vehicles and motorcycles respectively between 1998 and 2001. These accidents resulted in 87 injuries and 19 deaths. Eight of the vehicles were written off. The Committee is of the view that "the cost of replacement or repair of accident vehicles, downtime and medical treatment, etc would have been covered by an insurance company had the Ministry insured their vehicles", observed the Report. In view of the frequent road accidents involving vehicles and motorbikes, the Committee recommends that the recently introduced discriminatory insurance policy in favour of high trekking vehicles should be extended to cover all vehicles of the Ministry. In addition, the Committee recommended that the seven-year replacement cycle for the replacement of old vehicles adopted by the MoH in place of the five-year cycle should be adhered to, in order to ensure availability of vehicles to assist in quality health delivery in the country. Notwithstanding the identified lapses, the Committee was of the view that, "the Ministry and the GHS have good transport systems and procedures in place. What is required is the efficient and effective implementation of these systems and procedures to enhance transport operation". Source: Public Agenda