Doctor Shortage Crisis! 70% of New Medical Officers Skip Postings—Zero Reported in Upper East & West. Health Minister Extends Deadline, Promises Better Conditions. Can Ghana Fix Regional Healthcare Gaps?
Approximately 70 percent of freshly posted medical physicians did not begin their assignments, and as of November 28, the Upper West and Upper East regions reported no arrivals. As a result, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister of Health, has extended the deadline for these newly posted medical doctors to report to their duty stations by one week. A total of 25 out of the 32 physicians working in the Upper West Region did not show up for work. The Minister cautioned that this scenario might potentially jeopardize the health treatment of over one million citizens. He made it a point to emphasize that the posts will remain unaltered and that the ministry, in collaboration with regional authorities, members of parliament, DCEs, and traditional leaders, is making efforts to enhance circumstances and provide potential incentives in order to promote compliance. Despite the fact that the attendance was not very high, he was optimistic that the physicians will make their reports. This optimism was based on the fact that about half of the doctors in Ghana are clustered in the Greater Accra area, and the postings are intended to correct significant regional imbalances. Efforts are being made to reach out to the physicians; also, the regional health directors have started making contact with them. The goal is to provide them with assistance in the form of accommodations and other forms of support in order to facilitate their transition.
