Health Minister Gives Newly Posted Doctors One Week to Report
The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has expressed serious concern over the widespread refusal of newly posted medical doctors to report to their duty stations, giving them one final week to do so.
Mr. Akandoh described the current reporting rate as not encouraging, revealing that nationwide data shows seven out of every ten doctors posted to various regions have failed to assume duty. He warned that the situation poses a significant threat to healthcare delivery, especially in underserved areas.
Regions with acute staffing needs such as the Upper West and Upper East have recorded zero reporting as of last Friday. In the Upper West Region, 25 out of 32 posted doctors have declined their placements, leaving nearly one million residents at risk of reduced access to essential medical care.
“We will give them an additional week to report to the facilities where they have been posted. After that, we will conduct what we call validation,” he said.
The minister stressed firmly that postings will not be changed.
“Unfortunately, there is no way we are going to alter any posting. We can only appeal to them to report within the one-week window,” he added.
The minister explained that efforts are underway to collaborate with local authorities to make the doctors’ placements more manageable.
He noted that discussions are also ongoing about possible incentives.
“We have begun engaging them, and the government will look at how we can incentivise them to give their best in the districts where they have been posted,” he revealed.
Mr. Akandoh expressed optimism that the doctors would ultimately honour their assignments.
“I believe, and I have the strongest conviction, that our wonderful medical doctors will respond to this call,” he said.
The minister also highlighted alarming disparities in the distribution of medical personnel across the country.
He noted that this imbalance has prompted the government to place doctors in regions where their services are most urgently needed.
