Joseph Nelson
The Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, has assured that all ongoing health infrastructural facilities in the region will be completed to help enhance access to quality healthcare for residents.
He stated, “The government is committed to improving health infrastructural projects underway in the region, including the construction of a new Western Regional Hospital.”
The minister also mentioned the upgrading of Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital into a teaching hospital, and rehabilitation of the public health reference laboratory to boost research and surveillance.
Mr. Nelson was speaking at the Western Regional Health Service’s 2025 Annual Performance Review meeting in Takoradi.
For her part, the Western Regional Director of Health, Dr. Marion Okoh Owusu, called on community leaders and stakeholders to help create a conducive environment to attract and retain health professionals in perceived underserved areas.
She said the low number of health workers who accept postings to some health facilities in the region is having a dire impact on the doctor-to-patient ratio.
Madam Owusu noted that only 14 medical doctors were posted to the region in the latest recruitment exercise. She described the situation as a major public health concern that requires urgent attention to improve healthcare delivery across the region.
“Our number of health workers continues to decline, so we must make the region more attractive to them. In 2025, 14 doctors were posted to the region, but not all reported.
“This highlights the need for communities to support with accommodation and create a welcoming, convenient, and conducive environment that will encourage these doctors to stay and serve,” she stressed.
The Health Director disclosed that there has been a decline in maternal mortality, despite the staffing challenges, an indication of improvement in the quality of healthcare services.
“In the 2025 assessment, we recorded notable progress in maternal and child health, alongside significant improvements in overall service delivery, which is very encouraging,” she pointed out.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi