Special Advisor on Health to President Nana Akufo-Addo, Dr Anthony Nsiah-Asare, has challenged graduates of Family Health University College Medical School to go into the world to make a change as health personnel and give compassionate care to patients.

They were also advised to with integrity and professionalism.

"Our nation, indeed, is ready for a new breed of health and medical practitioners, whose gentle and compassionate approach could promote skills which will groom you to be the desired medical doctors and nurses for our dear nation. You will have the opportunity to learn to find solutions for the kind of health-related problems that plague our communities, our country and our world. We, indeed, need you to do that," said Dr Nsiah Asare.

Dr Nsiah-Asare made this statement when he delivered a speech as the Guest of Honor on behalf of President Akufo-Addo, during the 2019/2020 Matriculation ceremony for fresh students of Family Health University College and the Graduation ceremony of the Nursing and Midwifery School.

The event was held at Teshie in Accra, opposite Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre.

The Special Guest of Honour entreated the graduates to be mindful of the conduct as Family Health University College was sending them out as ambassadors to project a good image of the institution.

Dr Nsiah-Asare disclosed that government through the health sector is committed to ensuring that all Ghanaians obtain the health service they need whether in prevention, promotion, rehabilitation or pollution.

He, however, cautioned the students to see their graduation as the beginning and not as an end of their contribution to the health development of Ghana.

"Accept the challenge of serving Ghanaians in the deprived and underserved areas where your services are most needed," he said.

Dr Nsiah-Asare called on the students to exhibit the highest standard of professionalism and commitment to the provision of quality and accessible health services.

He appealed to the general public to join forces with Family Health University College Medical School and contribute towards the Endowment Fund it is about to establish next year to support brilliant but needy students.

Dr Nsiah-Asare said the government would continue to do its best to employ a lot more professionals from both the public and private health institutions, including Family Health Medical School to facilitate an inclusive health service delivery towards universal health coverage.

He encouraged them not to make their minds of leaving to seek greener pastures beyond the shores of Ghana, but stay and help develop the country's health sector.

Dr Nsiah-Asare commended the President and Co-Founder of the institution, Prof. Yao Kwawukume and Management of Family Health University College for their hard work and dedication, by providing quality education to the students for the betterment of the nation.

In his address, the President of Family Health University College, Prof. Enonam Yao Kwawukume averred that the College has seen a number of developments in the past one year, in support of the growing numbers in students' admission.

Among the developments he mentioned comprises; the expansion of the Family Health Hospital, which serves as a training and attachment Centre for both the medical students and students of the Nursing and Midwifery School.

The new facilities are: A Dialysis Centre; A Cardio-Thoracic Centre Unit (ICU); A larger Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and A larger and a well-equipped Emergency Unit.

Other developments include the expansion of Hostel Facilities for students; The installation of a Water Filtration System to alleviate the shortage of water situation on campus; The reclamation of part of the sea for recreational purposes; and The upgrade of the Nursing and Midwifery School to run a degree programme.

Family Health University  College Prof. Kwawukume stated as part of its social responsibilities to give back to the society, have initiated measures to launch an Endowment Fund in March 2020 to provide financial support for the needy, but brilliant Ghanaian students who have the desire to be trained as Medical Doctors.

"The long-term benefits of the Endowment Fund will ensure the continued growing enrolment of a diverse group of students from a low-income background within the country, help to make medical training accessible to more Ghanaian students, and increase the doctor-patient ratio in the nation to an acceptable level".

He assured the students of management's commitment to uphold, protect and ensure their peaceful stay at the Family Health University College and encouraged them to focus on achieving their dream.

To the graduates, Prof. Yao Kwawukume reminded them of their responsibilities to serve the society and the nation at large added that they should exhibit the skills acquired with the highest standards of ethics, integrity and compassion.

Family Health University College comprises a Hospital, Nursing and Midwifery School and a Medical School.

It is Ghana’s premier private medical school with modern facilities, spacious laboratories and lecture halls.

Family Health Medical School is affiliated to the University of Ghana and accredited by the National Accreditation Board.

The School offers a six-year Bachelor of Surgery and Bachelor of Medicine (MB ChB) programmes.

At the end of the first three years, the student obtains a Bachelor of Science Degree and thereafter the MB ChB Degree which qualifies one as a Medical Doctor.

Students comprise those from Cameroon, Nigeria, Benin, the United States of America, Britain and Canada.