Bolgtanga, May 6, GNA - Dr. Peter Baffoe, Medical Director of the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital, has commended the medical team of Bolgatanga, Nabdam Bongo and Tongo (BONABOTO), in the Upper East Region, for carrying out medical outreach programmes. The Medical team, led by Professor Francis Atindana Abantanga, a Lecturer of the school of Medical Sciences Legon, undertook a two-week Medical outreach programme in Bolgatanga, Bongo, Talensi-Nabdam and Bawku West Districts, and performed over 60 surgical operations, with hernia topping the list. Dr. Baffoe said their support was tremendous, in augmenting the problem of health personnel in the Region and stressed that the surgical operation that was undertaken by the team would have taken several months to attend to. He appealed to BONABOTO to ensure that the programme was sustained, by encouraging more citizens from the area, who were health professionals and working outside the Region, to come to the aid of the Health Directorate in the Region. Professor Francis Atindana Abantanga assured the Health Directorate that they would continue to assist the hospital and that more medical professionals would be enrolled into the outreach programme in future. Mr Stanley Abopaam, the Regional Public Relations officer of BONABOTO said the Medical outreach program was part of the social responsibility aspect of BONABOTO. Mr Didacus Afegra, the Regional Chairman of BONABOTO said the group, apart from supporting the health sector through outreach programmes, has been supporting medical students in the various tertiary institutions and would be encouraged to come to the Region to serve. "BONABOTO together with the Regional Coordinating Council is also lobbying with the nine District Assemblies in the Region to sponsor students who have interest in studying medical courses", he stressed. He expressed optimism that in a few years to come, the problem of shortage of health professionals in the Region would be minimized.