Management of Presbyterian Hospital at Dormaa Ahenkro in Brong Ahafo Region has decided to sponsor qualified senior high school students in Dormaa District to pursue nursing training from the 2008/2009 academic year. Mr Fred Effah-Yeboah, General Manager of the hospital announced this at a press briefing at Dormaa Ahenkro. It was part of series of high profile stakeholder meetings initiated by the management to explain its policies, operations and facilities to individuals and groups that shared in the growth and welfare of the hospital. He said management would sponsor about 20 qualified students who would gain admission into any of the nation's public nursing training institutions. Mr Effah-Yeboah explained that management's decision was to train more nurses to work in hospitals and clinics in the district because due to inadequate nursing staff, management was compelled to put ward assistants at positions reserved for nurses. "Even though ward assistants endeavour to perform their duties to management's satisfaction, they sometimes commit mistakes that qualified nurses would hardly make," he added. Mr Effah-Yeboah urged media practitioners to be circumspect in their reportage especially on issues about health facilities and noted that the hospital had recently come under serious community and media scrutiny for alleged staff insensitivity and gross disrespect and gave the assurance that management had instituted measures to address the alleged lapses. Ms Florence Iddrisah, Dormaa District Director of Health Services, advised staff of the hospital to hold confidential reports on patients in high esteem and put premium on efforts to satisfy clients. She announced that Dormaa District Health Directorate would in line with objectives of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) embark on a weeklong outreach programme to immunize children under five years against poliomyelitis and provide insecticide treated nets to pregnant women and children under a year free of charge. Dr Immaculine Yao Geraldo, a physician at the hospital appealed to stakeholders to help provide a congenial atmosphere at the hospital to attract skilled staff. Mr Fiifi Ofosu-Okyere, Director of Dormaa FM radio station, called for co-operation between the media and management of the hospital. He appealed to the management to be wary of people who would pose as journalists and their activities undermined the cordial relationship between them. Source: GNA