Accra (Greater Accra) 16 March '99 -

A post-graduate training programme for medical personnel will take off in the country by the end of the year, Mr Samuel Nuamah Donkor, Minister of Health, told newsmen on Monday in Accra. Mr Nuamah Donkor said this will help to fill the vacuum which is likely to be created with the expected retirement in the next five years of most health specialists. "In order to fill the gap to be created by their departure, a post graduate training programme will be set up to train health personnel". Mr Nuamah Donkor said the ministry is soliciting support from various donors for the training programme. "We have had favourable response from some embassies such as Japan and Cuba just to mention a few which is at the moment training some Ghanaian students". Mr Nuamah Donkor said the programme is expected to take off by the end of this year at the medical schools and the teaching hospitals, ''if things work out the way we are expecting. "I have asked the appropriate people to work on what will be needed in terms of logistics and curriculum for the take off. He said "the ministry is working around the clock to fill the vacuum that will be created to enhance the health care delivery service because without health specialists hospitals cannot survive''.