File photo of the conflict in Bawku
The Upper East Regional Division of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) has called on the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) to improve security for healthcare professionals in the Bawku Municipality and its environs.
The GMA stated that the security situation in the area, which has over the years led to significant loss of lives and property, instills great fear in health professionals, causing them to refuse postings to the area.
Dr. Adam Zakariah, the Regional Chairman of the GMA, made the call during a meeting with Donatus Akamugri Atanga, the Upper East Regional Minister and Chairman of REGSEC.
Among other critical concerns raised by the GMA leadership, they highlighted that insufficient and unattractive incentives for healthcare professionals further exacerbated the refusal of medical personnel to accept postings to the region.
Dr. Zakariah acknowledged that although some incentives exist, they have not been reviewed for some time and are therefore insufficient to attract and retain healthcare professionals, especially medical doctors, in the region.
He expressed concern that incentives for some doctors who have sacrificed to stay and work in the region are sometimes delayed and appealed to the Minister of Health to intervene and ensure the timely release of these benefits.
The GMA Chairman also called on the government to upgrade some health centres in the region to hospital status and properly equip them to operate optimally.
Dr. Zakariah emphasized that the issue of inadequate public healthcare facilities, coupled with obsolete equipment and demotivated doctors, adversely affects their professional development.
“The few doctors in the region are not motivated to work in health centres because they lack the necessary logistics. Over time, such doctors become rusty,” the GMA Chairman said.
Addressing the security concerns of the Association, the Minister assured its leadership that the security of healthcare professionals in Bawku would be addressed.
He acknowledged their challenges in rendering services under insecure conditions and further assured them that their call for the government to upgrade health centres into hospitals for effective service delivery would be given attention.
Atanga mentioned the Ghana Medical Care Trust Fund, also known as ‘Mahama Cares,’ which aims to provide financial support to individuals with chronic health conditions. He indicated that the initiative is intended to support citizens in accessing healthcare services effectively.
He also stated that the government would address accommodation challenges in the health sector, as hospital projects would include housing for critical healthcare professionals to eliminate such issues.
Regarding incentives, the Minister assured the GMA leadership that his office would intervene to address the challenge and appealed to members of the Association not to despair but to continue contributing to effective healthcare service delivery in the region.