For once in many years, 25 medical doctors have accepted to do their housemanship in the Northern Region.
The Northern Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Akwasi Twumasi, who announced this, commended the doctors for their patriotism and indicated that the directorate had attractive incentive packages for medical personnel who would accept postings to the area, particularly the rural communities.
“This region has so many opportunities for research and growth. There are also a few long-serving doctors in the region who are ready to assist you to develop your skills and knowledge and also help you with their expert advice and experience to enable you to develop professionally,” he stated.
Dr Twumasi, who was speaking at a reception in honour of the new doctors in Tamale, also described the people in the area as hospitable.
Many doctors have refused to accept postings to the Northern Region for various reasons, including lack of incentives, accommodation, infrastructure and requisite equipment to work with, especially in the rural communities.
Last year for instance, only one out of eight doctors who were posted to serve in the region reported at post, while only three out of 13 pharmacists reported for duty.
As of February 17, 2010, none of the 15 doctors who were posted to the region had confirmed acceptance of the postings.
Dr Twumasi described the new development as refreshing and expressed the hope that more medical professionals would also accept postings to the region to facilitate effective healthcare delivery in the area.
He announced that by June, this year, the construction of five modern polyclinics would have been completed at Janga in the West Mamprusi District, Kpandi in the East Gonja District, Karaga in the Karaga District, Tatale in the Zabzugu/Tatale District and Chereponi in the Chereponi District.
The Northern Regional Minister, Mr Moses Bukari Mabengba, entreated workers posted or transferred to the region not to hesitate to go there “since they will get the full support of the co-ordinating council to make their stay enjoyable”.
He said contrary to speculation that the region was volatile, the area was rather one of the most conducive regions with a lot of opportunities.
The Regional Health Promoter, Alhaji A. B. Yakubu, blamed a section of the media for portraying the region as volatile, thus scaring away potential investors and health personnel.
He, therefore, appealed to the media to highlight the positive developments springing up in various parts of the region instead of always trying to make a mountain out of a molehill.
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