Health News of Sunday, 27 September 2009

Source: GNA

Doctors must accept postings to Upper East Region- Rev.

Bolgatanga, Sept. 27, GNA - The Reverend Dr. Jacob Kofi Ayeebo, Executive Director of the Anglican Diocesan Development and Relief Organisation, on Friday appealed to medical doctors to accept postings to the Upper East Region and other deprived communities in the country. He noted that the medical profession, which deals with life is a calling from God to serve humanity, hence the need for doctors to appreciate the philosophy behind their vows to protect human life with due diligence to win God's favour at all times.

Rev. Ayeebo who is also the Dean of the Anglican Diocese of Tamale, made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Bolgatanga. He said the doctor/ patient ratio of one to 49,000 in the region was having very negative effect on socio-economic development. He expressed worry at the rising number of preventable deaths in the region and called on the Ghana Medical Association, the Pharmacy Council, and other recognized health related bodies to intervene to reverse the situation.

Rev. Ayeebo commended the few doctors who have accepted postings to the area and implored them to urge their colleagues to join them in the daunting task of saving human lives. Rev. Ayeebo, who is also a Member of the Council of State observed that one's desire for worldly things, should not undermine critical situations relating to saving human lives.

He therefore asked young doctors to concentrate on learning on the job and said they could do so effectively when they accept to work among less endowed people, "because health related problems are dotted everywhere in the rural areas".