Illinois groups donate ambulance to Ghana hospital

SPRINGFIELD - A hospital in Ghana is getting its first ambulance thanks to a donation from two Springfield-area charities.

The ambulance belonged to the Springfield-based International Health & Development Network, which also owns and operates the small hospital in Weta, Ghana. One of the charity's founders, Dr. Edem Agamah, is originally from the West African country.

His wife and charity co-founder, June, says most patients at the 60-bed hospital arrive on foot, by motorcycle or by public transportation and that few residents of the area have cars.

The (Springfield) State Journal-Register reports that the ambulance is expected to arrive in February or March.

Midwest Mission Distribution Center in Chatham, to the south of Springfield, helped with the shipping and also sent hospital equipment.