Hassana Yawa
For the love of his people!
The volunteer tricycle-ambulance rider has in two years saved over 25 lives in Wogomdou community, Faro and Deo Division of Adamawa Region — by rushing them to hospital.
He knows neither rest hours nor rest days. To him, every time is work time. Whether in the dead of night. Or while busy in his farm. When duty calls, Hassana Yawa is always ready. Set to volunteer his services as a rider for one of the two community-managed tricycle-ambulances in Wogomdou, Galim-Tignere Subdivision, Faro and Deo Division of Adamawa Region.
With an unstoppable longing to serve, Yawa has never regretted accepting this “job” that keeps him at the service of his community round-the-clock. As one of the four volunteer tricycle-ambulance riders in his community, the 46-year-old part-time commercial motorbike rider has since 2018 helped in saving the lives of about 25 fellow Wogomdou villagers. Be they women in complicated labour or the seriously sick, Yawa has always rushed them in his custom-made ambulance to the Wogomdou Integrated Health Centre. Or to the Galim-Tignere Subdivisional Medical Centre, 22 km away. In the case of referral.
Hassana’s volunteering is part of the community involvement component of the Maternal, Newborn and Infant Health Support Project, MNIHSP, financed by the Islamic Development Bank, IsDB. Covering 35 health districts in the Far North, North, Adamawa, East and Centre Regions, the project from 2018–2021 is implemented by the Ministry of Public Health. With the technical support of the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF and the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA.
“In the past, patients in critical conditions were transported to hospital on locally-made stretchers, with some losing their lives on the way. But since the arrival of tricycle-ambulances in 2018, we have not experienced any such problems as everyone is transported safely and comfortably to hospital,” says Hassana. “When roads become impassable for the ambulance to get to some homes, I use my motorbike to transport patients to where the tricycle is parked. So, bad roads have never stopped my work,” he stresses with pride.
“I volunteer my services because I want to see lives saved. That is why I am ready to serve at any time. I know God will one day reward me. Nevertheless, I would be glad to receive a stipend for the services I render,” says Hassana Yawa.
“Prior to the donation of tricycle-ambulances in 2018 by the United Nations Population Fund, our people spent as much as 5,000 FCFA to transport referred patients on commercial motorbikes to Galim-Tignere. Today, the two tricycle-ambulances are there round-the-clock to transport patients for free. The ambulances are far more comfortable than motorbikes because they are equipped with beds for patients and seats for caregivers,” Adamou Ahmadou, Chair of Wogomdou Tricycle-Ambulance Management Committee, underscores.
“After patients are discharged from hospital, ambulances are still dispatched to Galim-Tignere to collect them home for free! The system for now is sustainable because each household pays an annual contribution of 2,400 FCFA. The money is used for fuelling and maintenance,” Adamou Ahmadou notes.
Managed by the community under the oversight authority of Wogomdou Integrated Health Centre, the two tricycle-ambulances cover six villages in Wogomdou, with a population of over 6,000 people. The riders receive distress calls from the health centre directing them to homes with emergency cases. Patients are first rushed to Wogomdou Integrated Health Centre. And if need be, are referred to Galim-Tignere Subdivisional Medical Centre, which has a medical doctor. In all, the system seeks to curb maternal, newborn and infant deaths.
By Kimeng Hilton NDUKONG
