The first group of 121 recipients of the Ghana Labour Export Program under the administration of President Mahama left Ghana for Antigua and Barbuda in the Caribbean to offer general healthcare, mental health, and midwifery services.
Health Minister Kwabena Mintah-Akandoh emphasised the government’s efforts to resolve the nation’s backlog of qualified health professionals during her speech at the send-off ceremony.
He gave the following explanation of the program’s justification:
“We inherited a backlog of more than 80,000 health professionals who have completed the various degrees and yet are at home and do not have jobs. So as part of government intervention to create jobs for especially the health professionals, we are exploring avenues where countries have requested our health professionals to work with them.”
He then announced plans to expand the initiative to other Caribbean countries, highlighting Antigua as the first recipient.
“Today is about Antigua; we are working on Jamaica, Barbados, and Trinidad. And so we’ll be doing that in batches.”
Additionally, Mr. Mintah-Akandoh reminded the recipients of their obligations abroad.
He continued by saying that although the government is looking into prospects outside, some medical experts are being integrated into local facilities.
“And so today we are here to say goodbye to you, but we’ll be following your progress with keen interest, and as you are going, you must be reminded of the fact that you are carrying the flag of Ghana, and therefore we wish that you go and work with diligence and professionalism.”
He addressed worries on the availability of medical workers in Ghana, turning to the medical professionals who were remained at home.
“Those of you who are at home watching us, I’m very hopeful that it will get to your turn. Usually, the debate has been that we do not have health workers in our various health facilities, but we are exporting, I mean, health workers. That is not it. The availability of health professionals in this country is not a problem. As I have already indicated, we have excess. We have inherited about 80,000 health professionals, but as you all know, we have a country to govern, and at every point in time, our budget can absorb a certain proportion of them.”
“And so as the government is looking at absorbing some internally, in-country, in our various health facilities, we are also exploring other avenues outside the country.”
Source: newsthemegh.com