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The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has declared that 80% of the 700 junior medical doctors whose posting processes have commenced will be assigned to districts throughout the nation. The Minister stated that this decision aims to rectify the imbalanced distribution of medical personnel, as a majority of doctors prefer assignments in the Greater Accra Region, resulting in rural and underserved areas having limited access to healthcare. During a meeting at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) on Wednesday, November 5, Akandoh remarked that the Ministry has made a difficult yet essential decision to guarantee equitable healthcare delivery across all regions of the country. “I have initiated the posting of junior doctors, and we are processing no fewer than 700 of them this year. The process is currently underway. We are committed to assigning at least 80% of this 700 to the districts. This decision is challenging, but it is a necessary one,” he emphasized. The Minister also revealed that the majority of doctors presently work in the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions, leading to a considerable imbalance in the healthcare system. He mentioned that discussions are ongoing to redistribute medical officers nationwide to promote fairness in healthcare delivery. “We are respectfully requesting your understanding; Accra and Kumasi are overwhelmed. Following these consultations, we will soon commence the redistribution of medical doctors across the country. It is a very difficult decision, but any feedback or suggestions are welcome,” Akandoh underscored. In line with the Ministry’s initiatives to enhance health facilities, the Minister also contributed three anaesthetic machines to the UGMC and instructed their prompt installation to elevate patient care.
