Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga, has appealed to the World Health Organization (WHO) for special consideration in health interventions. He cited the region's high vulnerability, limited employment opportunities, and border status with Burkina Faso and Togo as reasons for the appeal. The region faces unique challenges that put additional pressure on its health system, including an influx of people from neighboring countries seeking healthcare.
The Minister made the appeal when WHO Country Director to Ghana, Dr. Fiona Braka, visited him to understand the region's healthcare needs and strengthen collaboration with the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and government. Mr. Atanga noted that limited employment opportunities have made a significant proportion of the population vulnerable, while chronic conditions such as diabetes and kidney diseases impose financial burdens on families.
The region's border with Burkina Faso and Togo further complicates its healthcare needs, as people fleeing insecurity and other challenges in neighboring countries sometimes seek refuge and healthcare in the Upper East. Mr. Atanga said this situation places additional pressure on health facilities and called for increased support to enable the region to provide adequate services to all who need them.
The Minister expressed appreciation to the WHO for its collaboration with the government and commended the GHS in the region for being responsive to the needs of the people. He also highlighted shortages of health personnel in the region, particularly the unfavorable patient-to-doctor and patient-to-nurse ratios. Mr. Atanga suggested that expanding tertiary education and health training institutions in the region could help produce health professionals familiar with the local environment.
Dr. Braka commended the regional leadership for its commitment to improving healthcare delivery and pledged continued support for the successful implementation of the government's Free Primary Health Care (FPHC) initiative. She noted that the region's location, sharing borders with Burkina Faso and Togo, presents unique challenges and opportunities for healthcare delivery, particularly in disease surveillance and cross-border collaboration.
The WHO Country Director said the organization is keen to understand the context of the region's healthcare needs and appreciated that all regions are different, with unique challenges and ways of delivering services. Dr. Braka expressed delight in seeing the launch of the FPHC initiative and her interest in understanding how it would be implemented within the specific context of the region.
Dr. Braka assured the Minister of the WHO's commitment to partnering with the government and regional leadership to strengthen healthcare delivery. The Minister assured the WHO of the Regional Coordinating Council's commitment to working with development partners and other stakeholders to strengthen healthcare delivery, and urged the WHO to translate its understanding of the region's unique circumstances into targeted support.
Key points
- The Upper East Regional Minister appeals for special WHO support due to the region's high health vulnerability.
- The region faces unique challenges, including an influx of people from neighboring countries seeking healthcare.
- The WHO pledges continued support for the successful implementation of the government's Free Primary Health Care initiative.
