The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Patrick Kuma Aboagye, has disclosed that the service has experienced a loss of 525 skilled personnel and professionals due to brain drain in the past 12 months. This loss of experienced individuals has prompted the GHS to implement measures to counteract the impact on healthcare delivery in the country.
Dr. Kuma Aboagye explained that while the loss of skilled staff has been significant, the GHS is taking steps to address the situation. These measures include providing further training for existing staff and increasing the recruitment of nurses. He mentioned that the service has already hired new nurses and dispatched doctors to rural areas. The GHS has recruited a total of 33,625 new staff, including nurses, to bolster its capacity for fulfilling its mandate.
To achieve universal healthcare by 2030, the GHS is focusing on strengthening primary healthcare and enhancing collaboration with partners to redesign the primary healthcare system. This approach aims to improve the quality of care and make it more patient-centered.
In addition to addressing staff loss, the GHS has made improvements to its supply chain system, ensuring visibility and real-time monitoring of supplies. The service has also enhanced its E-health system by introducing the e-tracker, which provides accurate and detailed data across the country.
To address the health needs of adolescents and future leaders, the GHS has launched the Yolo program, aimed at improving adolescent health and reducing health risks associated with their growth.
Dr. Kuma Aboagye highlighted the continuous improvement of the emergency response system, allowing the service to effectively address emerging challenges and provide timely responses.
While the brain drain of skilled healthcare professionals remains a concern, the GHS’s efforts to train, recruit, and improve healthcare systems show a commitment to providing quality healthcare services to Ghanaians.
Regenerate