- 50% of Ghana's doctors have left the country.
- 24% of nurses have also emigrated.
- Report calls for urgent healthcare reforms.
- Healthcare delivery must prioritize vulnerable groups.
The Ghana Human Development Report has revealed a disturbing trend in the country’s healthcare sector. A significant number of healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurses, are leaving Ghana due to poor working conditions.
The report, titled “The Future Value of Work in Ghana,” was a collaborative effort between the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Statistical Service, and National Development Planning Commission.
According to the report, a staggering 50% of locally trained doctors have moved abroad, with 24% of nurses also leaving the country. This exodus of healthcare professionals poses a significant threat to Ghana’s healthcare system, which could potentially lead to its collapse if immediate action is not taken.
Ghana’s health sector faced numerous challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, including shortages of essential supplies like personal protective equipment (PPE) and skilled personnel. Despite showing resilience during the pandemic, the sector requires urgent reforms to address these issues.
The report advocates for improvements in working conditions and the adoption of a comprehensive health policy that encompasses health promotion, palliative care, and rehabilitative services. It also suggests a life course approach to healthcare delivery, aiming to better serve vulnerable groups like the elderly and persons with disabilities.
The report highlights the critical need for Ghana to stem the loss of healthcare professionals and bolster its health system to meet current and future challenges effectively. If immediate action is not taken, the country’s healthcare system may face severe consequences, including a shortage of skilled professionals and a decline in the quality of healthcare services.
