The Upper East Regional Health Directorate has revealed that a batch of doctors that was posted to the region by the government in 2021 refused to go.
Upper East Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Emmanuel Kofi Dzotsi, reveals that a total of 10 doctors were posted to the region last year but none of them turned up.
“A very worrying situation to note is that, of the 10 medical officers posted to the region in 2021, none reported to work in the region. I hereby call on all concerned partners and stakeholders to ensure incentive packages are put in place to attract and retain doctors and midwives in the region to reduce maternal deaths in the region” Dr. Dzotsi said.
The Regional Director of Health made the revelation while speaking at the region’s 2021 annual performance review conference in Bolgatanga.
According to him, there is also a very high attrition rate among medical officers in the region. The attrition rate is a fanciful phrase for abandonment of duty posts.
“There is an acute shortage of critical human resources such as doctors and midwives in the region. Critical health staff required are specialist doctors, medical officers, physician assistants, midwives, laboratory scientists and many support staff,” he said.
“New medical officers and specialists posted to the region feel reluctant or fail to assume duties, while there is also a high attrition rate. The region is perceived as unattractive and there is therefore great difficulty in attracting and retaining critical staff such as doctors, midwives, professional nurses and physician assistants.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Dzotsi said his region recorded 61 COVID-19 deaths out of 1, 734 cumulative cases.
He however bemoaned low turnout for the COVID-19 vaccination, despite massive public education.