GHS Director-General promises transport for health workers in remote Wa West communities

The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, has promised to allocate vehicles to deprived areas after leaders at Siriyiri in the Wa West District said poor roads and long distances are keeping health workers from reaching patients.

According to Info Radio, the appeal came from Osman Adams, Assembly Member for the Siriyiri electoral area, who spoke on behalf of the community’s chief, Naah Alhassan, during the Director-General’s visit to the community.

Mr Adams said nurses and other health staff serving the area face difficult travel conditions when trying to reach underserved communities. This, he said, can delay treatment and put extra strain on staff. He called on the authorities to provide the logistics health workers need to do their jobs safely and efficiently.

Responding, Dr Akoriyea acknowledged the concerns. He named staff shortages and inadequate transport as major barriers to healthcare in remote communities and said transport would be allocated to deprived areas. Info Radio reported that no timeline or further details were given.

Visit tied to yellow fever campaign

The Director-General was in the Upper West Region to monitor a yellow fever vaccination exercise in the Wa West, Sissala East and Sissala West districts. The Ghana News Agency reported on October 23 that Wa West had reached 92 per cent coverage at the time. The campaign targeted people aged nine months to 60 years, excluding pregnant women.

During the visit, Dr Akoriyea urged chiefs and young people to encourage unvaccinated residents to take part, stressing that the vaccine is free and safe. He also said the GHS would work with Veterinary Services to reach herders who move with their livestock.

A wider access challenge

Reaching services remains a recurring concern in Wa West’s remote communities. Earlier this week, TheSavannaOnline reported a call by the district’s disability federation for ramps at key public offices that remain out of reach for persons with disabilities.

Source: Info Radio — https://www.inforadio.online/post/siriyiri-assembly-member-calls-for-support-to-improve-healthcare-in-remote-communities