Cuban doctors not to replace striking doctors - Gov't

The government has rejected claims that a decision to receive 300 new doctors from Cuba to help Ghana’s health delivery system is an attempt to call the bluff of striking Ghanaian doctors.

Government on Tuesday signed an agreement with Cuba for the supply of three hundred medical doctors.

In exchange, 250 Ghanaian medical students will also be trained by Cuba.

Addressing the media after the signing of the agreement, Health Minister Sherry Ayittey said Ghana has had a long standing doctor-supply relationship with the Cubans.

“The total number of doctors that we have currently is about 2,843, and the population of Ghana is 25 million, and if you work it out, it is almost like one doctor to 10,000 people. This is not the best if we have to provide quality health care.

"So we have been receiving doctors from Cuba in the public health sector and they support rural health care and some specialist surgeons who also assist in the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital," she said.

She added that government spends far less on Cuban doctors who serve in the country than on indigenous Doctors.