Ghana’s petroleum downstream regulator, National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has donated medical supplies to victims of the recent gas explosion incident at the Mighty Gas Filling Station in Ho, in the Volta Region.
The medical supplies included 25 gauze roll, 50 examination gloves, 100 bed mats, 50 cotton roll, 10 savlon (five litres), 50 crepes and 50 gauze bandages.
The donation, made through the Ho Teaching Hospital, was presented on behalf of the Authority by Madam Natasha Boakye Amoah, Senior Manager with the Corporate Affairs Department and was received on behalf of the victims by the management of the Ho Teaching Hospital.
Donating, the Communications Officer of NPA, Benjamin Sekyere Owusu remarked that both management and employees of the Authority wished the injured speedy recovery and also mourned with the family of the deceased in these difficult times.
“Our deepest sympathies and prayers are with those who perished or were injured, and with their loved ones.
“We, along with all stakeholders, must keep safety at the forefront of all we do to ensure we mitigate the effects of gas explosions, and take all necessary steps to prevent the occurrence of such incidents,”
The Communications Officer further commended the medical team at the Ho Teaching Hospital for rising to the occasion by providing critical care to the victims.
Receiving the items on behalf of the victims, the Chief Executive of Ho Teaching Hospital, Dr. John Tampouri commended NPA for the donation and called on other companies to emulate the gesture, either in kind or cash to enable the hospital deliver befitting care to the gas explosion victims.
He was particularly grateful for the specific pharmaceuticals and medical supplies donated, as that they met the real needs of the fire victims.
He assured the NPA that the Hospital would use the drugs judiciously to reduce pain and suffering of the fire victims.
Dr. Affram Nelson, Head of Surgical Department at the Hospital, said all the 14 patients that were rushed to the hospital were in critical condition. “Three of the victims died, two were transferred to Ridge Hospital in Accra and the remaining nine victims are currently receiving treatment at the Ho Hospital.”
He appealed to the general public to support the hospital construct a Burns Centre, adding that, “The ideal place to treat the victims is at a Burns Centre where we could give them some form of live support.”