Inculcate right work culture in training of health workers- Dr Dedzo

Dr MacDamien Dedzo, Volta Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) on Friday stressed the need for the right work culture to be inculcated in the training of health workers.

He said this might help reverse the poor reception and handling of clients at health facilities.

Dr Dedzo was speaking at the inauguration of the Boards of Governors for the Nurses Training College, the Community Health Nurses Training School and the School of Hygiene in Ho, the Midwifery Training School at Hohoe and the Health Assistants (Clinical) Training School at Keta.

He said the core values of the medical profession should be imbibed in the students.

Dr Dedzo reminded the board members to put in place good management systems and should always be conscious of the interest of the stakeholders they represent.

Mrs Gladys Fabyan, Deputy Director of Human Resource Development of the Ministry of Health who represented the sector Minister, said government was pursuing radical polices to address the big shortfall in all areas of health delivery.

She said currently there were 61 training institutions holding more than 18,000 students.

Mrs Fabyan said every region had a nurse and midwifery training school, community health nurse training school (except for Greater Accra) and health assistants clinical school.

She said there were schools running specialized courses for nurses in Ophthalmic, Preoperative and Clinical Nursing, Anaesthesia and Ears and Throat.

Mrs Fabyan said new courses had also been introduced in different parts of the country, such as Dispensing Optics and Prosthesis.

She said nursing and other related courses were being upgraded but expressed regret that only 17 per cent of qualified applicants to health institutions got admission due to lack of infrastructure.

Mrs Fabyan listed some of problems as unavailability of well equipped practical sites for training, accommodation and transportation during practical work.

She said despite the challenges, health institutions in Ghana were regarded worldwide as good, attracting many requests outside the country for the training of students.

Mrs Fabyan said the terms of reference for members of the boards include advising the principals in management and governance, support the mobilisation of extra funds for infrastructural development and assisting management in the maintenance of discipline.

Mr Joseph Amenowode, Regional Minister who inaugurated the boards said the members should be result oriented and not only for the sake of satisfying statutory requirements.

He counselled them to refrain from interfering in the day-to-day administration of their respective institutions.

Members of the Boards whose tenures are two years are; School of Hygiene, Mr Bright Kornu, Director Budget, Volta Regional Co-ordinating Council (VRACC),

Mr Gabriel Kploanyi, Regional Director of Education, Mr Francis Abotsi, Regional Environmental Health Officer, Togbe Kwaku Ayim IV, Traditional Ruler, Mr John Kojo Baisie Human Resource Manager, GHS, and Mr Victus Tsyawo, Principal.

Nurses Training College Ho; Mr James Agboada, Principal, Ms Janet Akosua Kwasi, Assistant Director, Ghana Education Service (GES), Mama Fenu, Traditional Ruler, Dr Nathanial Dotse Sodzi, Religious Bodies, Ms Comfort Agbadja, Regional Director of Nursing Services. Mr Felix Fiebor, Community Member, and Mama Atrato, Traditional Ruler.

Health Assistants (Clinical) Training School Keta, Dr Felix Tsidi, GHS, Togbe Dzelu IV, Anlo Traditional Council, Mr Mathias Kwawoo, Assembly Member, Mr Felix Tsevia, Assistant Director, GES, Rev. Divine De-Love, Religious Bodies, Mrs Charity Kartey, Principal and Mr Edward Gidiglo, VRCC.

Midwifery Training School Hohoe, Ms Narki Doku Principal, Ms Cecilia R. Pomary, RCC, Togbega Gabusu VI, Traditional Ruler, Ms Helen Abra Kofinti, Community Leader, Ms Juliet Beauty Kumah, GES, Dr Edwin K. Danoo, GHS and Rev. Charles Gbekle, Religious Bodies.

Source: GNA