The Upper East Regional Minister, Akamugri Donatus Atanga, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to establishing a medical school in the region to tackle the persistent shortage of healthcare professionals.
During a working visit to the Upper East Regional Hospital on Friday, June 13, Atanga revealed that discussions are ongoing between the government and the C.K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences (CKT-UTAS) to kick-start the initiative.
He noted that the region continues to face a persistent shortage of health professionals, partly due to the reluctance of many to accept postings there.
According to the Regional Minister, concerns over security and limited prospects for career advancement remain key deterrents.
“If We address these issues by providing a training centre, like the medical school that is set to take off here in the region, and we train people who are already brought up here, it will help change their perception,” he said.
He recounted an incident in which an external group, seeking to implement a program in the region, reached out to his office for security clearance after receiving warnings that the area was unsafe.
“If you’re posting a doctor or nurse to the Upper East Region and the person is not from here, that perception of insecurity can affect their decision,” he noted.
He further explained that the lack of avenues for career advancement was a significant disincentive for health professionals accepting postings in the region.
“When medical personnel are posted here, and there are no institutions that allow them to further their knowledge or specialise, it discourages them from staying. However, if we establish a medical school, we are not only training locals who are more likely to remain here, but we are also providing a platform for professional development,” he said.
Beyond addressing the staffing gap, Mr. Atanga believes that the establishment of a medical school would open up the region for greater healthcare investment.
“If someone wants to build a health facility, they will consider the availability of doctors. But if they have to transport professionals from Accra or Kumasi, it becomes a disincentive. Investors shy away because of this,” he explained.
The Regional Minister also lamented the region’s vulnerability during the recent nationwide strike by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association, noting that the Upper East Region has fewer private healthcare facilities compared to other regions.
“We were worst hit by the strike because of our limited private sector involvement in healthcare. If we had more private health providers, people would at least have an alternative. But even in the regional capital, such options are countable,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the establishment of the medical school would mark a turning point for the region’s healthcare system and its long-term development.