Medics urge gov’t re-align resources to improve sanitation, potable water supply
A five-day medical update conference for doctors has opened in Kumasi with a call to government to re-align resources to improve environmental sanitation and potable water supply.
Professor Tsiri Abgenyaga, Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, said this is critical to the good health of the people.
He expressed the need for the state to put premium on the provision of adequate health infrastructure, equipment and training to boost the doctor-patient ratio.
The meeting, the first ever to be held in Ashanti Region, is offering an opportunity for health professionals to share experiences and to keep pace with modern trends in medical practice.
It is being held on the theme: “Cutting edge updates for medical practice in Ghana.”
There would be sessions on mental health, obstetric emergencies, published papers and scientific writings and paediatric life support among other issues.
Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons (GCPS), Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Ghana Physicians and Surgeons Foundation (North America) and Africa Medical Partners in the United States are the joint organisers.
Prof Abgenyaga expressed concern about the uneven distribution of doctors across the country and said that should be corrected to narrow the gap in geographical health access.
The medical training institutions, he noted, have been producing about 500 medical professionals every year and said it is curious to find out if they “are sent to areas where their services are needed most”.
Prof Sir George Wereko- Brobby, President of GCPS, said “the medical knowledge fiesta has come to stay as a tool for training of our residents”.
He said it is important to appreciate that the competence of physicians “requires the high test standards of specialty medical education”.
Prof Ohene Adjei, Chief Executive of KATH, said as a teaching facility the staff appreciate the importance of continuous medical education and are committed to initiatives geared towards improving the quality of medical training at all levels.
He said sustaining the programme would require funding and other resources and invited corporate Ghana to form a strategic partnership with the organisers to expand access.
Dr Michael Oppong-Kusi of the Africa Medical Partners asked the GCPS to do more to prevent needless deaths and work to prolong the lives of patients.
Source: GNA