Bolgatanga, March 31, GNA - Daily patient attendance at the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital has soared following the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Dr. Aduko Amiah, Medical Director in charge of the hospital said at the weekend. Dr. Amiah, who was conducting the Regional Minister, Mr. Mark Woyongo, round the various departments of the hospital during a familiarization visit, said the current daily attendance stands at about 400 patients, with the possibility of a further increase in numbers as the rainy season approaches. He stated that even though the increase in attendance involved genuine cases, there were indications that the NHIS system was being abused by some people, resulting in the rise in numbers. "The number of doctors and nurses, on the other hand, has remained relatively low, leading to a lot of pressure and a scary doctor-patient ratio," he said.

Presently, there are five Ghanaian doctors and eight Cuban medical staff at the hospital. There were 80 nurses at the hospital as against the required minimum of 250. At the Obstetrics and Gynaecology section, the Specialist in charge of the unit, Dr. Peter Baffoe, told the Regional Minister that the incidence of maternal and child mortality had been on a consistent decline at the hospital during the past three years. He said from 750 deaths per every 100,000 births recorded in 2006, the figure dropped to 500 per 100,000 births in 2007, and declined further to 360 per 100,000 births in 2008. He said in the case of the Bolgatanga Municipality itself, the mortality rates have been significantly low but that have often been bloated by cases coming in from areas outside. The Bolgantanga Regional Hospital is a major referral centre. Dr. Baffoe indicated that compared to previous times, more women now visited the hospital for anti-natal care as a result of the free maternal health care introduced by the State. Dr. Richard Anongura, Specialist Dental Surgeon in charge of the dental department, said he had trained two Community Oral Health Officers (COHO) to assist in the provision of dental health services, as he was the only one catering for the entire region. The two attendants would man dental centres created at Bawku and Sandema, he added.

Mr. Woyongo called for a special incentive package for medical staff working in the rural areas to motivate them and to attract qualified personnel from other areas to accept postings to the regions. He also suggested the introduction of a scheme by which specialists from tertiary health institutions could visit the region for a week or two periodically to lend a helping hand. The Regional Minister commended staff at the hospital for continuing to give of their best in spite of the numerous constraints confronting them, and said government would not relent in its search for ways to make life comfortable for them. Naba Sigri Bewong, Paramount Chief of the Sakoti Traditional Area, and Chairman of the hospital's Board of Directors, urged Members of Parliament from the region to show interest in the Bolgatanga hospital. Naba Bewong also called on Municipal and District Assemblies in the region to set aside a portion of their Common Fund to support the hospital.