The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has announced that 80% of the 700 junior medical doctors whose posting processes have begun will be deployed to districts across the country.
According to the Minister, the decision is aimed at addressing the uneven distribution of medical personnel, as most doctors prefer postings to the Greater Accra Region, leaving rural and underserved communities with limited access to healthcare.
Speaking during a meeting at the University of Ghana Medical Centre ( UGMC) on Wednesday, November 5, Akandoh said the Ministry had taken a tough but necessary decision to ensure equitable healthcare delivery across all parts of the country.
“I have started posting junior doctors, and we are doing not less than 700 of them this year. The process is ongoing. We are determined to post not less than 80% of this 700 to the districts. It is not an easy decision, but it is a necessary one,” he stated.
The Minister further disclosed that the majority of doctors currently serve in the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions, creating a significant disparity in the healthcare system. He said consultations are ongoing to redistribute medical officers nationwide to ensure fairness in healthcare delivery.
“We are pleading with you, with the greatest of respect, Accra and Kumasi are choked. From these consultations, we will soon begin redistributing medical doctors across the country. It is a very tough decision, but any opinion or suggestion is welcome,” Akandoh stressed.
As part of the Ministry’s efforts to retool health facilities, the Minister also donated three anaesthetic machines to the UGMC and directed their immediate installation to improve patient care.
Source: Citi newsroom