This exodus of health workers has alarmed authorities as it significantly causes what experts describe as a brain drain for healthcare delivery in the country.
It is in this context that the Wellness and Healthcare Foundation is establishing an Awards Scheme to motivate Healthcare Professionals and recognize their dedication to healthcare delivery.
A resident anesthesiologist at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Dr. Esther Neene Agor Ninyeh disclosed that the situation is so serious that her fellow doctors are also joining the fray.
He said the situation would require incentive programs and incentives for health professionals to curb the growing brain drain.
Dr. Agor Ninyeh spoke at the launch of the Wellness and Healthcare Delivery Awards in Accra on Monday on the theme: ‘Ghana Beyond Aid: The Role of the Wellness and Healthcare Sector’.
He commended the Foundation for the initiative stressing that it will encourage health professionals and help reduce the rate at which health professionals travel abroad in search of greener pastures.
The Anesthesiologist therefore called on the government to take steps to tackle the menace.
The Project Director of the Wellness and Health Care Foundation, Mr. OB Sinachy, on his part said wellness and good health care delivery is a prerequisite for achieving universal health care coverage in Ghana.
He said that is why the Foundation has instituted this award program to motivate health professionals and health centers, adding that their motivation could lead to the achievement of universal health care coverage.
Referring to the subject of the Awards, Mr. Sinachy explained that the objective of the Wellness and Health Awards is to stimulate the economic development of the country.
“We believe that our award to health professionals and health centers would give them a brand name miles away to attract investors to come and invest in our health sectorr”, emphasized the Foundation’s Project Manager.
He added that as a result of the awards, “tourists are likely to come to the country and spend money to boost our CEDI.”
Mr. Sinachy later appealed to government and corporate Ghana to support this initiative in order to curb the menace of brain drain.
Member of the Awards Committee, Dr. Alberta Ama Atta Ackon said the top 3 health professionals and top 3 health facilities will be selected by the public across the country after which the best will be selected and awarded.