Oti Regional Health Director, Dr Emmanuel Dzotsi says poor road network, unattractive working conditions and unavailability of social services are affecting quality healthcare delivery in the region.

Speaking at the region’s half-year performance review meeting, Dr. Dzotsi said he was unhappy because the situation has influenced the decisions of many health workers to not accept posting to communities in the region where their services are required.

He cited as an example, that out of the 11 doctors posted to the Oti Region for the half-year, only 1 had reported.

“The biggest challenge we face here as health professionals is the lack of adequate staff.

It doesn’t get any better because people who already work here want to leave, whereas our attempts to attract persons to come and assist proves futile because of their unwillingness to serve under deplorable conditions” he said.

Meanwhile the Oti Regional Health Directorate received relief items from the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development earlier this year as part of government’s effort to battle coronavirus.

Dr. Dzotsi mentioned then that four main hospitals in the Akan District of the Region had been designated to serve as quarantine centres.

He urged authorities to improve conditions of service in the area in order to get more health officers to maintain posts.