The Upper West Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Damien Punguyiri has expressed worry over the increasing cases of opioid addiction among some health workers in the country.

As a result, some of them have died whilst others have become what he describes as walking vegetables who spend their earnings on Pethidine, Tramadol among others.

Dr. Punguyiri made the disclosure at the 14th annual general conference of the Pharmacy Technician Association of Ghana (PTAG) at Wa.

“There has been an increasing prevalence of opioid abuse among the youth, particularly among health workers. Some have lost their lives through these addictions ..,” he said.

He called on health workers to desist from abusing harmful drugs.

For his part, Pharmtech Richard Ofosu Addai, National President of the Pharmacy Technician Association of Ghana, applauded the Pharmacy Council for approving over 11 schools nationwide to receive accreditation to run programs in ancient dispensing technology.

According to him, this will open the door for many people to enter the profession and serve the country.

He, however, expressed some reservations about the effectiveness of the institutions' oversight.

“The big question is how effective is the monitoring of these academic institutions in ensuring that the graduates who pass out have earned the required education and skill,” he stressed.