A consultant with the Alliance for Reproductive Health Rights (ARHR), Madam Ayisha Mohammed has suggested that government should channel more incentives to students pursuing midwifery, as well as antenatal and neonatal nursing, to enhance the numbers in these branches of nursing.

According to her, the number of nurses in these branches of nursing is not encouraging, and was of the view that government increasing their allowances would go a long way in reducing child mortality rates, especially in the area of midwifery.

She said a report by the University of Ghana Public Health Department indicates that Ghana has less midwives in the country, stating that it is a growing concern so far as the health sector in Ghana is concerned.

Speaking at a two-day workshop organised for journalists by Alliance for Reproductive Health Rights (ARHR) in Accra, Ayisha stated that the current number of health personnel in the country has increased and there was the need for a new database from the Ghana Health Service to ensure quality delivery in the health sector.

Ayisha bemoaned the increasing number of community health nurses, which, according to her, is causing the shortage in other specialised areas of nursing.
To this end, she proposed that special incentives should be given to specialised health professionals so more people can enter into those areas rather than community nursing.

On staffing gaps in the health sector, Ayisha said there was no clear direction or statement on how government would address the inequitable distribution of existing health workers across the country.

Executive Director for ARHR, Vicky Okine urged journalists to be drivers of change in their communities and ensure in-depth analysis in their reportage on health issues.

According to her, the media has been identified as a strategic ally in promoting the UHC agenda.

She added that the media is to mobilise broad-based support for UHC and strengthen citizens’ understanding of UHC, as well as leverage existing platforms for citizens and communities to hold their leaders accountable on issues related to UHC.

At the training, participants were taken through topics such as ‘Primary Health Financing in Ghana: The Role of the Media’, ‘PHC as the Pathway to UHC: Ghana’s Strategy’, ‘The Danfa Comprehensive Rural Health and Family Planning Project’, and ‘Opportunities for Media Reporting’.