Accra, Aug. 7, GNA - Dr George Sipa Yankey, Minister of Health, on Friday appealed to doctors and other health workers to willingly accept postings to rural and deprived areas to save lives. He said government was doing everything possible to improve on hospital facilities in the deprived areas, as well as improve conditions of service for workers who would accept postings to such areas, to enhance their productivity. The Minister made the appeal when he handed over the second batch of 372 vehicles comprising 200 Nissan Sunny, 50 Fiat Lineas, and 122 VW Polo cars to health workers. The consignment is part of 600 vehicles earmarked for delivery this year. The vehicles, which are tax exempt and made available at affordable rates, are to facilitate easy movement of health workers to and from hospitals, and are considered to be essential for efficient health delivery.

Dr Sipa Yankey said, "Your services are needed not only in the cities but also at deprived areas of the country to save lives." Currently, the doctor to patient ratio in the Upper East Region is 1:34,000 while the Upper West Region will be left with only five doctors by next month, a situation which will put strain on the few that will be left at post.

He said government was aware of the sacrifices doctors were making to deliver quality health services to patients, and urged them to continue to do their best under the circumstances to save lives. "We expect you to conduct your services with diligence and commitment as we work to improve your working conditions", the minister said. Dr Yankey told the health workers not to be quick in resorting to strike actions when there was any misunderstanding, but to channel their grievances to the Ministry which was there to solve their problems. He hinted that government was advancing plans to purchase motorbikes for health workers who did not want vehicles.