The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Science, Prof Lydia Aziato, has admonished stakeholders in the health sector to design modules to slow the exodus of health professionals.

This, according to her, is to ensure that the country retains some experienced health professionals.

“I am appealing to us all as part of our deliberations to see what we can recommend and what can be done at the ministry level, Ghana Health Service not to stop migration but to moderate it,” she appealed.

She was speaking at the opening ceremony of the 4th Annual Nursing and Midwifery Leaders and Managers Conference and 3rd Excellence Awards, 2023 at Ho in the Volta region.

Her request follows a long queue of medical doctors seeking clearance from the Medical and Dental Council to accept job opportunities abroad.

As of the last count, the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) says between 100 and 150 doctors apply to leave the country every month.

Read also: https://www.myjoyonline.com/exodus-of-nurses-other-health-professionals-not-affecting-healthcare-delivery-ghs/

In the nursing and midwifery profession, over 3,000 have left the country in 2023 alone.

In an interview on JoyNews’ The Pulse, the General Secretary of the GMA, Dr. Richard Selormey explained that the poor state of retiree doctors is the motivation behind the desire of his colleague to leave the country.

Meanwhile, the GMA is demanding better conditions of service for doctors, including access to quality healthcare, a secured pension, and a waiver on imported vehicles.

The GMA warns that failure to implement the conditions of service by January 1, 2024, could force them to take a tough stance.

Read also: https://www.myjoyonline.com/gma-demands-fresh-conditions-of-service-by-january-1/

The Deputy Minister for Finance, Abena Osei Asare has assured that the government is working to implement the conditions of service, explaining that parliament has already passed the exemptions tax paving the way for doctors to enjoy a waiver on vehicle importation.

According to her, the government has been able to meet GMA's conditions of service for the past year, and she believes that this year will be no exception.      

“The Chairman and President of GMA, I just want to assure you that we have made some progress and very soon Fair Wages and Salaries Commission will be calling a meeting to kick start the operationalisation of your new conditions of service,” she assured.