Health Minister outlines three-pronged strategy . . . To address doctor posting crisis
The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has unveiled a three-pronged strategy to tackle the persistent refusal by most medical doctors to accept postings to deprived districts.
Addressing Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in the Upper East Region last Thursday, during a working visit to Bolgatanga, the minister said leadership must focus on finding practical solutions rather than lamenting longstanding health-sector challenges.
“We have districts in this country without medical doctors at all and this is unacceptable. Leadership is about finding solutions to problems and challenges not about lamentations,” he stressed.
Under the new strategy, the minister announced that deprived districts would be granted special dispensation to recommend doctors willing to serve in their areas.
“If an MP or DCE brings a doctor who is willing to accept posting to the district, we will post the person there,” he said, adding that such flexibility would not apply to the Greater Accra or Ashanti regions.
He urged MMDCEs to begin actively identifying prospective doctors, particularly during graduation periods and submit their names to the ministry for consideration.
“I can’t solve this problem alone. Let us begin to make a move,” he appealed.
Sponsorship
The second strategy involves sponsoring students from deprived districts to pursue medical education and bonding them to return home to serve after graduation.
The minister disclosed that the ministry would engage medical school deans and vice-chancellors to establish quotas for students from underserved areas.
“Preferably, people from those districts,” he said, explaining that individuals raised in rural communities are more likely to accept postings there.
He observed that doctors who have spent their entire lives in Accra often find it difficult to adjust to rural postings.
Accommodation
The third pillar of the strategy focuses on improving accommodation and providing locally driven incentives.
The minister insisted that no doctor would be posted to a district without befitting accommodation.
“Every district must have decent accommodation for a medical doctor before I post the person there,” he emphasised.
He encouraged districts to refurbish existing buildings, provide vehicles, even refurbished ones and consider modest local allowances to make postings more attractive.
While acknowledging that the ministry could not formally announce rural allowances because of potential agitation among other public sector workers, he said localised arrangements could help bridge the gap.
Mr Akandoh also urged district leaders to encourage doctors to pursue agricultural and entrepreneurial opportunities in rural areas to supplement their incomes.
He cited examples of medical practitioners who invested successfully in farming and other ventures while serving in deprived communities.
“I can engage the Minister for Agriculture to support health professionals with equipment on hire purchase.
All that I am saying is to attract them to come and save lives,” he said.
Health sector reforms
Beyond addressing the posting crisis, the minister highlighted broader reforms in the health sector, including the rollout of free primary healthcare in April 2026, the expansion of preventive screening services and the retooling of primary health facilities.
He urged MMDCEs and Members of Parliament to play active roles in monitoring health projects and ensuring that citizens see tangible improvements.
“This is political leadership. The citizens must see what the government has done,” he said.
