Tamale, June 20, GNA - The Ghana Health Service (GHS) on Friday presented awards to 11 hardworking individuals and institutions from the sub-district and regional levels in Tamale, for their contributions towards the promotion of quality health care delivery in the Northern Region.

The Northern Region alone won 11 out of the 39 annual awards instituted by the GHS despite logistical constraints facing the sector in the region and the conflict situation in the area.

Speaking at the function, Mr Yaw Boamah, Deputy Director of Administration of the GHS said since the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme, no formal training had been given to health workers.

He urged the GHS to organise adequate training for health workers to enable them to carry out their operations efficiently and to avoid duplication.

Dr Elias Sory, Northern Regional Director of Health Services, called on the personnel to promote teamwork in all sectors of the service and also change their attitude towards work to enhance quality health care delivery and to win more awards for the region.

He commended health personnel in the region for the remarkable achievement and said even though the region was noted as "a no-go area," the awards showed how hardworking they had been.

Major (Rtd.) Courage Quashigah, Minister of Food and Agriculture, commended the efforts of the GHS and said: "If people are working but receive no motivation, they will not put in their best."

Major Quashigah who was on his way to Burkina Faso to attend the Water Resources Management and Biodiversity Encounter in Ouagadougou called for a multi-sectoral approach among the Ministries of Education, Health and Food and Agriculture to address health issues.

The award winners took home sets of furniture, 25 inch-Colour Television sets, Motorbikes and Computers and Accessories as their prizes. 20 June 04