UE Minister ascertains impact of doctors' strike

Alhaji Mohammed Limuna Miniru, Upper East Regional Minister and Mr Daniel Syme, Deputy Regional Minister, on Monday visited Kassena Nankana East District to ascertain the impact of the doctors’ strike.

At the Regional Health Directorate where the minister and his entourage made a stop, he met with Dr Koku Awoonor Williams, Regional Director of Ghana Health Service.

Dr Awoonor said doctors at the directorate including the only five doctors at the referral hospital in the region have laid down their tools.

He said the doctors were resolved more than ever to carry out the strike until their grievances are met.

Dr Awoonor said nurses and medical assistants are at post to attend to out-patient cases.

The team made a stop at Paga Health Centre in Kassena Nankana West District, where the team met a midwife and some student nurses attending to patients.

Mrs Vida Abaseka, District Director of Health Services said the strike had put a lot of pressure on the facility.

She said the centre depends on Navrongo and Bolgatanga with referral cases.

Mrs Abaseka indicated that though the centre is being earmarked for a district hospital, it lacks the necessary amenities for the new status and called on government to expedite action to upgrade the facility.

She said some of the challenges facing the facility include lack of a mechanised borehole to supply water and absence of a theatre to carry out minor surgeries.

Mrs Abaseka also called for the extension of the admission wards and the construction of doctors’ bungalow.

She appealed for the fencing of the centre to beef up security and also guard against encroachment.