The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has expressed his deep admiration for the work of healthcare professionals and acknowledged the challenging conditions under which they operate.

A visit to the Tamale Teaching Hospital, which was unannounced, served as an opportunity for the Minister to familiarise himself with the realities of healthcare delivery in one of the country’s most prominent hospitals.

Speaking to journalists, Mr Akandoh highlighted the dedication and sacrifices of healthcare workers across the country, particularly at the Tamale Teaching Hospital.

He took a moment to salute their tireless sacrifices despite the difficulties they face on a daily basis.

“I am the first to admit that our healthcare professionals are not working under ideal conditions, and unfortunately, we do not yet have the ideal situation. However, I am impressed with the reception I’ve received here today, and I urge all healthcare workers to continue giving their best, regardless of the circumstances,” he said.

The Minister also voiced his concerns about challenges related to medical equipment, emphasising that many of the tools provided by the government often malfunction, leaving hospitals in difficult positions when it comes to providing care.

Mr Akandoh acknowledged the frustration surrounding this issue and expressed his commitment to addressing it.

“There is one thing I don’t understand. And I still don’t understand it, where the government will provide equipment for health facilities in this country. The equipment is only maintained when it develops faults. We are expecting government to either report it or maintain it? There will be a new government policy directive. A special account will be created to fund the maintenance and replacement of equipment across all healthcare facilities in the country,” Mr Akandoh explained.

The new initiative, he assured, would ensure that health facilities would no longer face the burden of inadequate or malfunctioning equipment.