GPAA holds 10th conference, focuses on MDGs

The 10th Annual General Conference of Ghana Physician Assistants (Medical) Association (GPAA) opened in Koforidua, on Friday.

The five-day conference is on the theme: “All hands on deck, achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4, 5 and 8 – The role of the Physician Assistant.”

Mr Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, Deputy Eastern Regional Minister expressed the need for stakeholders to come together to address the problems confronting the provision of quality health for the citizenry.

He noted that the attainment of the MDGs, especially goals 4, 5, and 6 are of utmost important to everyone.

“Government is therefore expanding and improving health infrastructures in the country so as to ensure that everyone and especially pregnant women have easy and quality access to health care,” he said.

Mr Terlabi said Ghana had made considerable achievement in the fight against the HIV and AIDS pandemic, adding: “Aside the campaigns for voluntary testing and counselling, the Ghana AIDS Commission is vigorously working with other stakeholders to eliminate mother to child transmission of the virus.”

He asked pregnant women to visit the hospitals for early examination.

Chief Badana Imoro III, National President of GPAA, observed that the health specific MDGs, which are goals 4, 5, and 6, are becoming more challenging to meet, “try as we would in the forward march against the countdown”.

“Let us not be seen to be chasing a mirage by establishing just monumental operational landmarks but be seen to be building a mental attitude that will stimulate a resolve and commitment by all, towards the ultimate objective.”

Chief Imoro said to achieve the goal it calls for an approach that would be appealing to the conscience of all.

He indicated that members of the association are well poised to make great impact in the efforts.

Source: GNA