Kumasi, Aug 29, GNA - The patient-doctor ratio in the Ashanti Region stands at 41,267 to one, Dr Kofi Asare, Ashanti Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has said.

He said there had been an increase in the patient to doctor ratio as statistics conducted in the first half of last year indicated a ratio of 25,891 to one.

Dr Asare was speaking at the close of the annual half-year performance review meeting of the regional health directorate in Kumasi. He said the region recorded a high patient to nurse ratio within the period under review as the ratio now stands at 33,451 to one as against 3,086 to one recorded last year.

Dr Asare attributed the situation to the mass exodus of doctors and nurses to other countries to seek greener pastures. He said a total of 44 cases of guinea worm were recorded this year in the region as against 39 last year.

On HIV/AIDS, the Regional Health Director said that the Obuasi Government Hospital and Saint Patrick's Catholic Hospital at Offinso would soon start anti-retroviral treatment of the disease. Dr Asare said the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Bomso Hospital, Kumasi South Hospital at Kyirapatre, Saint Michael's Catholic Hospital at Jachie-Pramso and AngloGold Ashanti Hospital at Obuasi had already started anti-retroviral treatment of the disease. Meanwhile, Dr Emmanuel Ahiable, Medical Superintendent in-charge of the Asante-Mampong Government Hospital, has appealed to the Regional Health Directorate to expedite action to save the maternity unit of the hospital from collapse.

He said the three medical doctors responsible for the unit, who are all Cubans, will be leaving the hospital next month after completing their two-year stay in the country. "We are calling on the regional health directorate to resource the Unit as early as possible. If not, we would have no choice than to close down the unit", he said.