Health Minister Warns Doctors Over Refusal of Rural Postings
Kwabena Mintah Akandoh threatens sanctions to address uneven distribution of medical personnel
The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has cautioned medical doctors against rejecting postings to underserved districts, warning that those who refuse risk losing their placement opportunities.
Speaking on Citi FM, the Minister described the reluctance of some doctors to accept rural assignments as a major obstacle to equitable healthcare delivery.
He highlighted the imbalance in the distribution of medical personnel, noting that nearly half of Ghana’s doctors are concentrated in the Greater Accra Region, with the figure rising to about 70 per cent when the Ashanti Region is included.
Mr Akandoh revealed that while only 12 doctors accepted postings to eight underserved regions in 2024, the number has improved to about 100 in recent times. Despite this progress, he stressed that more needs to be done.
“Doctors cannot deny people care by refusing to go to the districts,” he said, acknowledging that while some concerns may be legitimate, access to healthcare must remain a priority.
He indicated that government will introduce stricter measures to ensure compliance, including denying placement opportunities to those who refuse postings and reallocating such positions to willing doctors.
The Minister reiterated government’s commitment to ensuring fair and equal access to healthcare services, particularly for residents in underserved communities.
