Health institutions in Bolgatanga operating at 17 per cent capacity

Bolgatanga, Nov. 4, GNA - Health institutions in the Upper East Region are operating at 17 per cent capacity due to inadequate infrastructure. Mr. Lucio Dery, Acting Regional Director of Health Services, who made this known in Bolgatanga during the inauguration of the boards of governors of health training institutions in the region, called for collective local initiative to solve the problem.

He noted that a local midwifery training school could not admit students due to lack of classrooms and accommodation. "The structures and the deplorable conditions there are a disincentive to successful candidates," he said.

Mr. Dery said due to the National Health Insurance Scheme, the medical facilities were recording a large number of patients, hence the need to train more health workers and also attract postings to the region. He said refusal of personnel to accept postings to the area was hampering health delivery. Mr. Mark Woyongo, Regional Minister, who inaugurated the boards, announced that he had directed all municipal and district assemblies in the region to sponsor the training of at least four medical students and other health professionals who would be bonded to serve in their localities after graduation.

"This, I believe, is the only way by which we can have medical doctors and critical health professionals in our hospitals on sustainable basis," he added. He stated that government had resolved to provide the necessary infrastructure and equipment to enhance efficient service delivery of health workers.

Mr. Woyongo said government was also keen to improve on the service condition of health workers in the rural communities as incentive. Each of the five health facilities in the region had seven- member board of governors sworn into office by the Bolgatanga Municipal Magistrate, Ms Vivian Lariba Yamusah. They also took the oath of secrecy.