Board of Governors of health training institutions in W/R inaugurated

Sekondi, 02 Nov, GNA-Mr. Paul Evans Aidoo, Western Regional Minister, on Monday inaugurated the Board of Governors for Health Training institutions in the region at Sekondi.

The institutions are the Nursing and Midwifery Training School at Sekondi, Midwifery Training School at Tarkwa, Community Health Nurses' Training School at Esiama, Health Assistants' training School at Asankrangwa and Sefwi Wiawso and the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Health Assistants' Training School at Asanta. In an address, Mr. Aidoo said the inauguration of the board is in pursuance of the Ministry of Health's policy for good governance, smooth administration and in conformity with regulations regarding tertiary institutions.

He said the boards would serve as advisory bodies to the respective school administrations to ensure transparency and efficiency in their management.

Mr. Aidoo said the task of the Board of Governors would be a challenging one as its good counsel would be required at all times for the training of capable manpower for quality health delivery. He said one pressing issue that would engage their attention is how to expand the various institutions in terms of infrastructure and health educators to absorb the many qualified applicants who are turned down due to limited space and tutors. Mr. Aidoo said government attaches great importance to the health needs of the citizenry and would, therefore, give the necessary support to health institutions to provide the manpower requirements of the sector. He said government would also continue to pay appropriate remuneration to all public sector workers including health personnel. Mr. Aidoo asked various workers to reciprocate government's gesture by always addressing grievances through dialogue, desist from laying down tools and accept postings to rural and underserved areas. He said: "It is difficult to understand why people who have had their training in institutions at Esiama, Asanta or Asankrangwa will decline postings to communities in those areas tagging them as rural". "We should always be mindful of the fact that it is through the toil and sweat of the people in the so called rural areas that our training has been financed".

Mr. Aidoo said another worrying phenomenon about health personnel in recent times has been the seeking of greener pastures at the expense of their kith and kin and "we should always be mindful that it is Ghanaians and only Ghanaians who will help to grow Ghana". He urged board to endeavour to inculcate the spirit of nationalism, patriotism; selflessness and dedication to duty in the products of the institutions to enable them selflessly serve Ghana. Mr. James Antwi, a representative of the Minister of Health, said the board would serve a two-year renewable term. He said there are about 61 health training institutions in the country with the annual intake of around 7,000 students and most regions have nursing, midwifery and community nursing training institutions. Dr. Linda Vanotoo, Regional Director of Health, who presided, asked members of the board to explain the category of admission to health training institutions to the people. They should also instil good attitudes and behaviour in tutors and students to build a better public image on the nursing profession and also ensure academic excellence. She said the aim of health training institutions is to train health personnel not only for employment but to offer quality health care to the people. 02 Nov. 09