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Initiate
strategies to recoup investments on health professionals-DCE
Jasikan, April 5, GNA-Mr Solomon Kwame Donkor, Jasikan
District Chief Executive (DCE), on Wednesday called for
mutually acceptable strategies to recoup investments being
made on health professionals, especially those who travel
abroad to work thereby causing braindrain to Ghana.
He suggested that a percentage of the remuneration of
professionals who travel to work be channelled under an
agreement into the national economy to address the shortfall
in the health sector.
Mr Donkor was addressing the management and staff of Jasikan
District Hospital during their 2006 get-together and awards
day at Jasikan.
He said the braindrain in the health sector had not only
affected the nation's scarce resources and healthcare
delivery but also denied the people vital services.
Mr Donkor, therefore, appealed to health professionals
planning to leave the country to rescind their decision and
called on those abroad to return home to contribute to
nation building.
He said government would continue to evolve prudent policies
to address pitfalls in the health sector including
conditions of service of health workers.
On the National Health Insurance Scheme, Mr Donkor said
giant strides have been made in the Volta Region despite
initial problems and called on health workers to support the
Scheme.
He said 60 health assistants were being trained under the
Health Extension Programme of the National Youth Employment
Programme.
Mr. Donkor said 100 million cedis has been set aside to
combat bilharzias and to support immunization programmes in
the district and pledged to procure 20 new beds for the
Hospital.
Dr Samuel Abudey, Medical Superintendent of the Hospital,
said management was able to refurbish its operating theatre,
expand wards to accommodate 15 more beds to complement the
existing 37 beds.
He also said the Hospital provided water closets and
bathrooms for in-patients, acquired a new generator, was
constructing a doctor's bungalow and establishing a teak
plantation though its internally generated fund.
He however, said the hospital lacked essential equipment
such as x-ray and ultra sound machines, staff accommodation,
a mortuary and that access roads in the hospital were in
deplorable state.
Dr Abudey said despite the problems, infant mortality rate
had reduced from 11 deaths in 2005 to four in 2006,
representing 63.6 percent reduction adding that 23 HIV/AIDS
cases were recorded in 2006 as against 16 in the previous
year. Comfort Agbadzah, Deputy Volta Regional Director of
Nursing Services, commended the Hospital management for
adopting unconventional approach to mobilize revenue beside
the internally generated fund.
She admonished health workers especially nurses to shun
tendencies that could drag their profession into disrepute
stating, "money is important but clients satisfaction is
paramount".
Mr Ignatius Mintah, former
Presiding Member of the Jasikan Assembly, who presided,
praised management and staff of the hospital for promoting
health delivery in the area.
Meanwhile, Mrs Lucy Bonuedi, former Hospital matron, Mr
Samuel Tei and Ms Georgina Bani who were honoured for their
sterling performance each received a table-top fridge.
GNA
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