The Ministry of Health has announced plans to conduct a nationwide verification exercise aimed at removing medical doctors who refused postings to underserved communities from the government payroll.
Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh indicated that any doctor who fails to assume duty at their assigned station by the close of February will have their name deleted from the salary system. He emphasised that once the validation is completed, vacant slots will be reassigned to practitioners willing to serve in those areas.
The Minister explained that the directive is intended to tackle the chronic shortage and uneven spread of doctors, especially in rural and deprived districts. More than 700 physicians were deployed to such areas last year, yet several reportedly declined to report.
While acknowledging concerns about accommodation and working conditions in remote locations, Mr Akandoh described it as troubling that some trained doctors would reject placements in districts that currently have no medical officers at all. He noted that certain parts of the country are operating without a single doctor, a situation he described as unacceptable.
According to him, government postings are mandatory and must be honoured, stressing that non-compliance weakens healthcare delivery and denies vulnerable communities access to essential medical services.
During a recent engagement with a medical training institution, the Minister also highlighted policy measures designed to strengthen the sector. Among them is the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, a legislated initiative with an established board and secretariat to assist patients referred by specialists.
He further revealed that beyond student enrolment, the institution’s major challenge is the shrinking number of academic staff. Many senior lecturers are ageing, retired, or approaching retirement, with few replacements available — a development he warned could affect the future of medical education and training in the country.
Source: Wesleyannews.com
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