Accra, Jan. 31, GNA - The first ever Ghana Health Awards to recognise the work of individual health professionals and health institutions has bee= n launched in Accra.

"It is also on you that the wealth of the nation lies and therefore on your shoulders lay the development of the economy as depicted by the motto of the Ministry of Health: 91Health is Wealth' 94. This was announced by Dr Akwasi Osei, Chief Psychiatrist of the Ministry of Health, in a speech read on his behalf by Mr Abraham Bortey, Administrator of Accra Psychiatric Hospital. The awards, which is intended to mainstream the recognition and acknowledgement of hospitals, clinics, teams and departments who have distinguished themselves and made achievements over the years is slated for December, 2011. It is being organised by AnG Unimedia, an integrated events management= , media and communication specialist organisation in collaboration with the Ministry. The annual awards scheme would help position and strengthen the role o= f health care delivery in the nation's development, motivate and encourage good works of various health care providers and institutions. Dr Osei explained that having the wealth of the nation resting on the shoulders of health workers, anything to motivate them would go a long way to increase productivity in the health sector and improve the country's economy. He explained that the hard work of health professionals had always gon= e unnoticed with only their negatives always attracting attention of the medi= a and the public.

"We only hear of the negligence of a nurse or a doctor, which might have caused the death of a patient but when we overstretch ourselves to sav= e lives nobody commends us", he added.

To sustain such a scheme, Dr Osei calle d on the Government and Ministr= y to support such a laudable initiative to withstand the test of time. Mr Daniel Osman, Public Relations Director of the Ministry, who represented the Sector Minister commended the organisers for the initiative and pledged the Ministry's support in ensuring success of the event and i= ts sustainability. He said professions in the health sector were delicate and sensitive which dealt with the lives of people and workers needed to be rewarded for their exemplary hard work to motivate them to put up their best. Mr Nicolas King Amenyedzi, Director of AnG Unimedia, said the award scheme was instituted to build a sense of national pride, patriotism and professionalism in the health sector and urged health workers to give off their best. He appealed to Ghanaians to support the initiative to appreciate the hard work of personnel in the health sector in saving lives and improving the health care of people.

A total of 110 awards would be offered, 10 at the national level and 100 for the Regions. The categories include; best hospital and clinic, best private hospita= l and clinic, best doctor, best nurse, best midwife, best laboratory assistant, best hospital and clinic in child care, best hospital and clinic in maternal health, best hospital administrator and best in ambulance services.

Any hospital, clinic or individual working with substantial responsibilities in Ghana's health sector is eligible. Ghanaian health professionals are at liberty to nominate persons who deserved recognition, and such people should have worked at least a year prior to nomination or entry.