Chairman of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) for the Volta/Oti region, Dr. Kwaku Appiagyei Boadu Ayeboafoh has said that, the association is set to implement a one-district, one-doctor innovation to ensure that at least a medical doctor is available in all Districts of Ghana.
He made this revelation at the maiden edition of the Volta/Oti chapter of the GMA awards sponsored by Tecno mobile phones.
He further stated that the Chapter will pay doctors who accept posting to deprived areas a 1-year allowance.
”After the awards, the next innovation is to form what we call 1D1D. So every district without a medical doctor in the Volta and Oti region, will have a medical doctor. If you are a doctor and you want to go and serve in that district, the Volta/Oti division itself is going to pay your allowances for one year.”
“Let us all not say we want to stay in the regional capital. Let us move out,” Dr. Appiagyei added.
Dr. Hafiz Adam Tahir, Director of External Health Cooperation. The Ministry of Health, who represented the Minister of Health at the award night said sometimes recognition for the sacrifices individuals make is lacking in the Ghanaian society and commended the GMA for taking the decision to award deserving individuals and practitioners.
He further said that the MoH is taking initiatives to decentralize employment of medical officers.
According to him, 60% of doctors in the country are found in Accra and Kumasi while the remaining 40% is spread across the country, a situation he believes the decentralized policy will address in ensuring an equitable distribution of the doctors across the country.
“For instance, we have accepted that, if you accept to go to any deprived district, you only need to do two years after your housemanship and you will be qualified to benefit from postgraduate scholarship.”
He went on to say that they have implored the District Chief Executives and the Assemblies to attract some of the doctors to their Districts by providing some amenities like accommodation.
Dr. Hafiz Adam Tahir, further stated that due to these new policies about 30 doctors are outside the country doing their specialization.
He urged members of the GMA to get abreast with the new MoH policies with regards to posting of doctors and other health professionals.
Dr. Kofi Effah of the Battor Catholic hospital was recognised as the best health care personality of the year, an award sponsored by the North Tongu Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
Awards were presented to 15 other doctors and 3 health facilities.
The North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa also received a medal of honour in recognition for his immense contribution towards the health sector in the region and the country at large.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5fm/Faisel Abdul-Iddrisu
