Inadequate critical staff in Kwahu Afram Plains South District in Eastern Region seems to have no end in sight.
Kwahu Afram Plains South District has a population of 74,000, however, the district continues to have a huge deficit of critical staff
Currently, there are 36 health facilities including 29 CHPs and 6 health centers as well as one private facility in the district. Most of the facilities are however in a deplorable state.
However, the inadequate critical staff remains a challenge.
The ratio of Physician assistants to the population in the district is 1:8,222 from 1:16,257 in 2020. The nurse to population ratio in 2021 has been reduced to 1:350 from 1:950 in 2020. Whilst midwife to women in Fertility Age (WIFA) population ratio is 1:658 from 1:1,428 in 2020.
Many clinicians refuse to accept posting to the Kwahu Afram Plains area due to the underdevelopment of the area and lack of befitting accommodations.
Due to inadequate staff, the district health Directorate has been engaging the services of volunteers in the communities to augment staff strength in the district.
These volunteers were rewarded for their selfless services during a recent Annual Performance Review meeting of the district.
The Kwahu Afram Plains District Director of Health, Richard Essien said although the staff strength has received a boost in recent times, more staff are needed.
Kwahu Afram Plains South District Health Director Mr. Richard Essien, there is inadequate medical logistics, vehicles, and motorbikes to work in the hard to reach communities in the
Speaking at the annual performance review meeting, the District Health Director expressed concern over the high prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women at 36 weeks of gestation, and increasing stillbirths.
The condition has been linked to premature birth low birthweight and increasing trend of stillbirth in the district.
According to the Kwahu Afram Plains South District Health Director Mr. Richard Essien, the directorate is deploying strategies including the establishment of pregnancy schools in health facilities for education on proper dieting during pregnancy to reduce iron deficiency.
Source: Mybrynewsroom.com/Obed Ansah
