Wa, March 11, GNA - Dr Erasmus Agongo, Upper West Regional Director of Health Services has made a special appeal to district assemblies in the region to institute special incentive package in order to attract doctors posted to the region to accept their postings.

This special incentive package in addition to those already provided by the government for doctors and nurses in the health sector could encourage doctors on postings to the region to accept to serve in the area.

Dr Agongo, who was speaking at the opening of a two-day annual review conference of the health sector in the region said but for the Cuban medical brigade, the doctor situation at the hospitals would have been disastrous.

The conference, which is under the theme, "good health: an asset and shared responsibilities" is being attended by district directors of Health Services, doctors, health administrators and development partners, including the World Bank, World Health Organisation, UNICEF and NGOs.

During the two-day session, participants would review the regions health sector performance for last year against the health sector strategic objectives so as to map out it achievements, shortcomings and the way forward.

The outcome of this conference would be included in a report to be presented at the national health sector review conference to held later this year.

Dr Agongo disclosed that three newly doctors posted to the region last year, all left the country before they could assume duty in the region.

He said the Nandom, Jirapa and Tumu hospitals out of the six hospitals in the region currently do not have doctors, as the doctors have either gone for post-graduate medical studies or fallen ill and left for treatment.

Dr Agongo further disclosed that a little over 1.8 billion cedis was spent on exemptions for the vulnerable groups at the hospital in the region last year.

On manpower strength of the health sector in the region, the health director said there are at present ten doctors, 347 nurses and 19 laboratory technicians and assistants.

He identified accommodation as a serious problem facing the health sector in the region as there are no decent private accommodation for staff posted to the region.

On the National Health Insurance Scheme, he said preparation for its take off is in full gear with sensitization of the people and payment of premiums.

Mr Sahanun Mogtari, the Regional Minister, who opened the conference urged the participant to work towards finding concrete solutions to health delivery in the region.