The President of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Dr. Ernest Yorke, is urging national stakeholders to prioritise meaningful investment in social amenities and the health sector, especially in deprived communities.
His call follows reports that several newly posted medical doctors have declined postings to the Upper West Region.
Dr. Yorke stressed that the absence of basic amenities remains a major deterrent for doctors, many of whom are reluctant to accept postings in underserved areas.
“Remember also that social amenities, you know, that roads are relatively poorer, you may not get cable or satellite television sometimes, and accommodation may be a challenge. Most doctors are also middle-class, so they want the best for their kids; they want the best schools. You may not have such opportunities in the rural areas,” he said on JoyFM’s Super Morning Show on Wednesday, December 3.
He noted that the country must take bold, intentional steps to address these gaps.
“We need to take the bull by the horns and decide that as a nation, this is what we want, we want to put our money where the need is,” he added.
Read also: 25 doctors refuse postings to Upper West Region, threatening healthcare for a million residents
Meanwhile, the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has expressed concern about the refusal of newly posted doctors to report to their duty stations. He has given them an additional week to comply.
Mr Akandoh described the initial reporting rate as “not encouraging,” revealing that data points to a national challenge, with 7 out of every 10 doctors posted to assigned regions yet to report.
Read also: Health Minister gives newly posted doctors a one-week ultimatum to report to work