The Minister for Health Dr Richard Anane has sought the support of Italy for the establish institutions to train health personnel locally instead of going abroad.
This, he said, would help ease the brain drain in the health sector since "the country is losing a lot of efficient medical personnel just because there is no post basic training institutions for them to further their education and motivation to retain them". Dr Anane made the request when Mr Glancarlo Izzo, Italian Ambassador called on him to express his country's interest in assisting the health sector.
The minister also mentioned the health insurance scheme, malaria and guinea worm control and provision of drugs for HIV/AIDS patients as some of the areas in which the Italians could assist.
He noted that the relationship between the two countries in the area of health has not been very encouraging but said, "the environment is now conducive for investment so we want Italy's presence to be felt not only in health but also in all activities of the country". He cited also investment in housing for medical staff in the rural communities to keep them at post to give quality health care to those in the remote areas.
Mr Izzo expressed his country's interest in establishing pharmaceutical companies and others for local investment to strengthen the existing relationship between the two countries. He said his government is negotiating with some companies, which have shown interest to establish in Ghana.
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry has produced a document on guidelines for laboratory and clinical testing of traditional medicine products for the management of HIV and AIDS.
It is hoped that the adoption of the guidelines and the intended education of practitioners will facilitate improvement in the health status of HIV/AIDS patients, Dr. Anane told Parliament, Tuesday.
The document is currently being reviewed by experts on HIV/AIDS and the document, herbal medicine practitioners would be encouraged to continue helping HIV/AIDS patients, have their products tested for safety, efficiency and quality and to keep records of both products and patients so that reviews could be carried out as and when necessary.
