Wa, Feb. 11 GNA - Dr. Alexis Nang-beifubah, Upper West Regional Director of Health Services, has pointed out that the serious shortage of critical health staff such as doctors and midwifes was affecting quality health delivery in the region.

He noted that towards the end of last year there were only six general duty doctors at post in the whole region, adding that six more medical officers were posted to the region, but none had since reported though they were supposed to assume duty on January 29, this year In the case of midwifes, Dr. Nang-beifubah said most of them were old, weak and sick and could not actively perform their duties as expected. He stressed that as at December 2009, only two midwifes were less than 35 years of age, 14 were less than 45 years, and 52 of them representing 34 per cent were 56 years and above.

Dr. Nang-beifubah gave the statistics at the 2009 annual health sector performance review meeting held in Wa.

The forum, which brought together stakeholders in the health sector, would give them the opportunity to take stock of their performance for the past year and deliberate on the challenges, in order to chart a better way forward to enhance health service delivery in the region. He said the theme, "Working to Reduce Maternal and Child Mortality in the Upper West Region: The role of Stakeholders", was an indication that maternal and infant mortalities in the region, remained a huge challenge in spite of the numerous interventions being put in place. He identified clinical care as the weakest point hampering quality health delivery and attributed it to the lack of adequate doctors and midwifes.

Touching on infrastructure, the Regional Director noted that four out of the nine districts in the region did not have hospitals and District Health Administration offices. He said the proposed new Regional Hospital was yet to see the green light.

Dr. Nang-beifubah said despite these challenges, their vision was to see a region in which comprehensive health service packages that were responsive to the needs of the people were organised and led by focused leadership, delivered by competent, compassionate, motivated and results oriented staff.