The Upper West Regional Minister, Dr. Ephraim Avea Nsoh, has asked district assemblies to build bungalows and quarters for medical doctors and other health personnel to help retain them at post.
He explained that because of the acute shortage of medical personnel, especially doctors in the area, the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) was exploring ways to motivate doctors who accepted posting to the region.
Dr. Nsoh was addressing health workers at the 2013 Mid-Year Regional Health Sector Review Conference in Wa, which was on the theme: “Showcasing our Performance; the Role of Accurate, Reliable and Timely Data”.
The review afforded stakeholders including, implementers and beneficiaries of services the opportunity to identify gaps, challenges, problems and prospects, which could either affect negatively or positively affect service delivery.
Dr Nsoh said the RCC was aware of the numerous problems that were confronting professionals in health service delivery in the Region, which ranged from inadequate staff to lack of equipment and accommodation.
He said Government was aware of the inadequate supply of critical equipment to the Wa Regional Hospital, and would facilitate the procurement and supply of essential equipment to enhance healthcare delivery.
Dr Nsoh announced that 10 medical doctors would be posted to the Region this year, and promised to make follow ups to that effect.
He urged workers to embrace the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for accurate, reliable and timeliness of information.
The Regional Minister tasked health workers and stakeholders to be diligent in their work to prevent morbidity and mortality among the people, especially women during pregnancy and when they are giving birth.
Dr. Nsoh said Government was also committed to making the health sector vibrant by upgrading some health facilities to district hospitals, construct new ones, and open regional hospitals and training schools to train personnel across the country.