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Mr Peter Akudugu Ayamba, National President of the Ghana Physician Assistants’ Association (GPAA), has called on the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to appoint qualified Physician Assistants (PAs) as heads of healthcare facilities.
He emphasized that these appointments should come with performance contracts to ensure accountability and effective leadership.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the GPAA’s 21st Annual General Conference in Ho, Mr Ayamba highlighted the need to enhance the leadership capacities of Physician Assistants to manage healthcare facilities efficiently.
This would support the effective implementation of the Networks of Practice (NoP), an innovative policy aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery at the grassroots level.
He noted that the sub-district health management system faced numerous challenges, which posed risks to the smooth implementation of NoP.
Among these challenges, Mr Ayamba identified weak leadership governance structures due to ineffective sub-district management teams, lack of autonomy in decision-making, and limited community involvement in healthcare decision processes.
Additional concerns raised by the GPAA President included human resource management issues, poor financial management characterized by inadequate funding and budgeting, inefficient resource utilization, and limited financial autonomy.
He also highlighted challenges related to logistics, including inadequate supply chain management, shortages of essential medicines, and infrastructure deficits.
Other constraints facing the sub-district health system include inefficient procurement processes, limited access to health information management systems, poor service delivery, and inadequate referral systems.
The lack of specialized services, coupled with poor quality of care due to insufficient supervision and monitoring, further exacerbates the situation.
Despite these challenges, Mr Ayamba urged Physician Assistants to remain resolute and committed to their work, emphasizing that their profession has made significant strides over the years. He acknowledged the critical role PAs have played in saving lives and improving healthcare outcomes in Ghana.
He encouraged his colleagues to focus on self-development and continuous learning, urging them to enhance their skills, expand their knowledge, and seek opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Dr Patrick Kumah Aboagye, Director General of the GHS, speaking through Dr. Obiri Yeboah, Deputy Director General of the GHS, acknowledged the challenges faced by the sub-district health system. He affirmed the GHS’s commitment to addressing these issues through relevant policy interventions and collaboration with the GPAA.
“We are ready to receive any suggestions that this meeting will generate so that together we can engage,” Dr Kumah Aboagye added.
Dr Senanu Kwesi Dzokoto, Deputy Volta Regional Director of Health in charge of Public Health, also addressed the gathering, underscoring the indispensable role of healthcare professionals in the success of the country’s health system.
He stated that the Ghana Health Service and the entire health sector stand to benefit greatly from any positive outcomes of the conference.
Dr. Dzokoto emphasised that leveraging the Networks of Practice policy could help address some of the resource challenges at the sub-district level.
“Let us all embrace this new strategy of delivering primary healthcare within the country. As we work together to advance the health of our communities, let us continue to strengthen our bonds of association,” he said.
Volta Regional Minister Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, in a speech read for him appealed to the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance to grant financial clearance to Physician Assistants, who have completed their training but remain unemployed.
He stressed that their services are urgently needed in various communities, particularly in underserved areas.
“In our various communities, there are numerous facilities that require their services, yet they remain at home,” Dr Letsa said.
The conference, themed “Leveraging the Networks of Practice Implementation to Accelerate the Attainment of Universal Health Coverage: Resource Constraints at the Sub-District Level Under the Microscope,” brought together GPAA members from all 16 regions of Ghana, along with regional executives, representatives from the Ghana Health Service, and prominent chiefs from the Asogli State.
The event served as a platform for Physician Assistants and stakeholders to engage in discussions about healthcare delivery and to advocate for policies that address the challenges facing the profession.
The conference also sought support from policymakers, opinion leaders, and traditional authorities to help resolve issues related to the scope of practice and responsibilities of Physician Assistants within the healthcare sector.
Source: GNA
