FEMALE DOCTOR REWARDED (PAGE 17, JULY 2)

The Northern Region continues to suffer setbacks in its health delivery system following the decision by some health professionals not to accept postings to the area.
Among the reasons often given are the deprived nature of the districts in the region,the lack of motorable roads and inadequate infrastructure. Many health centres in the area also lack basic equipment and facilities and other niceties of life that will encourage people to either accept postings or remain at post.
It is for these reasons that the commitment, hard work and dedication of the only female doctor at the Saboba Health Centre in the Saboba District must be highly commended.
Not only has Dr Jean Ann Young been treating and saving the lives of poor folks in the district, she has also spent the last nine and a half years of her carrier in the area.
It was in recognition of the selfless service to the nation by Dr Young, who abandoned the comfort and privileges of city life, that she was recently offered an award at the maiden Women’s Award ceremony in Accra .
The award was organised by Brien Consult, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs. In all, 20 women drawn from various institutions and sectors received awards in different categories.
Dr Young was among the three women; a pharmacist and a nurse who received awards in the health category. According to the organisers, the scheme, which will become an annual affair, aims at encouraging women to do more for the country,and also inspire other women to give their best at their respective workplaces.
Other recipients of the award include Dr (Mrs) Mary Grant, a former Minister of Health, and also a former Council of State member; Mrs Akua Konadu-Bonsu Darko, an entrepreneur, and Maame Afia Konadu, a radio presenter.
The citation accompanying the award, described Dr Young as “a distinguished friend of Ghana and a missionary who values the lives of others more than hers and risked her life by staying back to save lives during the 1994 infamous northern conflict when even some indigenes had fled the area.”
It also portrayed Dr Young as a dedicated medical officer and a philanthropist who had spearheaded the upgrading of the Saboba Medical Centre to a district hospital.
The citation further described her as a “compassionate missionary who seeks both physical and spiritual well- being of the people; a life worthy of emulation.”
Dr Young is a trained general and paediatric surgeon and a Fellow of the West African College of Surgeons. She is also a Founding Fellow of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Dr Young is a member of the Evangel Bible Translators Medical Missionaries whose motto is; “For the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and give His life a ransom for many.”
She initially worked at the Saboba Medical Centre before joining the Ghana Health Service and was posted to the West Gonja District where she worked briefly before being reposted to Saboba.
On the situation at the Saboba Health Centre, Dr Young said, “at the moment we lack staff, vehicles and equipment at the centre for which reason we will like to make a passionate appeal for support.”
She described the award as very rewarding and humbling, stressing that, “I am happy my contribution over the years to the health sector has been recognised.”
Dr Young commended her husband for his encouragement and support, the people in the area, and also expressed appreciation to the Northern Regional Health Directorate for selecting her for the award.
She equally expressed appreciation to the organisers for the award.