No medical doctor reported to Upper West Region in 2025 – Minister reveals

Upper West Regional Minister, Charles Lwanga Puozuing, has revealed that the region is in dire need of healthcare professionals as no medical doctor out of the 25 medical officers posted to the region in 2025 reported for duty.

Puozuing made this disclosure during the 2025 Annual Health Sector Performance Review Meeting in Wa on Wednesday March 16, 2026.

He described the situation as alarming, warning that the situation is compounding the region’s already limited capacity to deliver quality care.

He further stated that although 194 health workers exited the region through reposting within the year under review, only 30 replacements were reported, further widening the staffing gap.

Doctors who refused rural postings will be removed from payroll - Minister of Health

“The high attrition of critical staff places enormous strain on the few who remain and threatens our ability to provide equitable and quality healthcare,” he said.

A report by myjoyonline.com on March 19, 2026, stated that the revelation is particularly concerning given that the region recorded an improved holistic health performance score of 4.08 in 2025, up from 4.04 in 2024.

Despite this progress, stakeholders say the human resource deficit risks reversing gains made in healthcare delivery.

Puozuing appealed to District Assemblies to increase investment in the health sector beyond the standard 10 per cent allocation.

He urged local authorities to prioritise the construction of standard 15-room doctors’ bungalows to attract and retain medical professionals, while reaffirming the government’s commitment to completing stalled projects under the Agenda 111.

SO/VPO

Meanwhile, watch as Dr Nyaho-Tamakloe scores Mahama govt high, only next to Nkrumah’s in the video below: