Inadequate human resource, impediment to health care delivery- Expert

Accra, Aug. 9, GNA- Professor Agyeman Badu-Akosa, Former Director-General of the Ghana Health Service has said that until Ghana produces close to 1,000 doctors per year, the country will not achieve the health status she wants to see.

He said Ghana must be aggressive about her human resource needs "because the few who are carrying the heavy load are becoming burnt out or worn out and that may be contributing to the poor attitudes shown by some health staff".

Prof. Akosa said this at the end of the Ghana Medical Association's 50th Anniversary lecture on the theme; Ghana's Health: Facing the Future Challenges."

The jubilee lectures, which had the theme: "GMA at 50: Ghana's Health" aimed at deepening its advocacy and policy dialogue in its quest to promote good health among people of Ghana and its commitment to the development and maintenance of the highest standards of health care delivery in the country.

Prof. Akosa noted the need for more research in the health centre adding, " The work we all do, the NHIS and the health policy 2007-2011 must all be underpinned by research". He said with the exception of the three research centre: Navrongo, Kintampo and Dodowa and the onchocerciasis centre at Hohoe, there were no such facilities to enhance the work of the sector, "Ghana must embrace and develop fully, the home brewed, well researched community based health planning and services". Prof. Akosa said the training of community health officers must also be stepped up, "we need at least 6,250 of them or for a better service 12, 500".

He said private universities must also be encouraged to take the challenge of establishing medical school and training of other health professionals, "The national accreditation board and the council of tertiary education must be proactive in this endeavour". Prof. Akosa cautioned that the NHIS levy must also be handed over to professional investment companies to invest the funds for effective control and management.