Yendi Municipal hospital lacks critical staff

The Yendi Municipal Hospital is critically lacking in professionals such as midwives, nurses and doctors, making work at the hospital difficult.

There are also the problems of inadequate funds to run the health centre, delays in the reimbursement of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) claims.

The Municipal Director of Health Service Madam Agong Denisia Kaara said this in her address during the 2014 half year performance review meeting at Yendi, in the Yendi Municipality of Northern Region.

Madam Denisia stated that with all these difficulties, the sector has seen a minimal increase in some indicators whiles others have stagnated.

She said there is marginal increase in some reproductive and child health indicators such as skilled delivery, Family Planning, antenatal registration as well as post natanal care, some immunization antigens, clinical care and others.

According to the Director, the Municipal can boast of only seven CHPS zones, with four compounds, out of the twenty-two demarcated CHPS zones, implying that a larger proportion of the population travelled more than eight kilometres to access health care which is not acceptable per the health policy of the country.

She pleaded with the development partners and other corporate bodies to build more CHPS compounds, at least eight kilometres from the nearest health facility, as well as accommodating the health staff to enhance effective health delivery in the area.

She expressed appreciation to the Assembly for the construction of a CHPS compound at Yimahgu, to increase the geographical access to health service.

Touching on the guinea worm disease, she said the Municipality was adjudged one of the best prepared Municipality in Ghana concerning guinea worm pre-certification, adding that, the Municipality also swept three national awards made up of, the best Municipal Hospital, the best Municipal Health Directorate in Northern Region and another in recognition of their patronage of the Regional Medical stores.

On the Ebola Virus Disease, Madam Denasia said no suspected cases had been reported in Ghana so far and advised the health workers to be alert and take the necessary precaution.

The Yendi Muncipal Coordinating Director, Mr. Agyapong Sarfo Kantanka said it is proper for the Municipal Health Directorate to hold the half year review performance meeting.

Mr. Kantanka said they are aware of the challenges like accommodation, CHPS compounds, Transportation, water and situation, which the Assembly has been trying, in collaboration with the Municipal Health Directorate to solve.

He said they cannot solve all the challenges immediately, and that, concerning the Ebola virus disease, the Yendi Municipal Security Council (MUSEC) has met and submitted the necessary reports to the Regional Security Council (RESEC) with suggestions on how to stop the spread of the disease.

He said the Municipality is expecting some tents from NADMO to establish Ebola virus disease isolation centres in the Municipality.

The Chairman of the meeting, Wal-lana Abdulai Sulemana, commended the health sector for organising such an important half year performance review meeting, to enable the health staff to know of their performance over the period.

Wal-lana Sulemana said the chiefs in the area are aware of the challenges facing the health sector, and that, the Regent of Dagbon, Kampakuya Naa Yakubu Abdulai Andani, is making all efforts to get the Government to get more professionals, particularly doctors for the hospitals.

He said because of the Eastern Corridor Road, the Yendi Municipal Hospital needs more health professionals to handle accident victims if they occur, adding that ,the Yendi Municipal Hospital is a referral hospital so it needs to be equipped with all the necessary medical professionals to handle all cases.