Wa, Oct.28, GNA - Management of the National Catholic Health Service on Thursday appealed to private health providers in the country to engage the services of Government agencies who have the expertise to create impact in health messages and campaigns. It said health was an important issue that needed special collaboration with the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) District Environmental Health and Environmental Protection Agency. Dr. Gilbert Buckle, Executive Secretary of the Service made the appeal at the two-day annual conference of the Service at Wa. The conference under the theme: "Sustaining health care to the poor: Innovative Approaches in a changing Environment," was attended by about 100 Catholic Health personnel nation-wide.

Dr Buckle said "As health providers we need to provide leadership and support team building, bring together other stakeholders who clearly have a significant advantage and strength over us in certain areas." He commended the Government for instituting the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) that would not only help the poor in society to access health facilities, but would also reduce the financial burden of rural dwellers.

Mr. Ambrose Dery, Upper West Regional Minister, in an address read on his behalf, commended the Catholic Church for its role to bring health care delivery to the doorsteps of people in the country. He appealed to the Church to encourage qualified health professionals to accept postings to rural areas where their services were mostly needed.