The Presbyterian District Health Hospital at Donkorkom in the Kwahu Afram Plains North District of the Eastern Region does not have a medical doctor.

The Eastern Regional Health Director, Dr. Winfred Ofosu, has described the situation as serious and one that can have dire consequences on quality healthcare delivery.

“As we speak now I am reliably informed that the Presbyterian Hospital at Donkorkom has no medical officer. And that is serious if you look at that whole area.”

The Presbyterian District Hospital serves the Kwahu Afram Plains North District and surrounding environs.

Cases from the Donkorkom District Hospital can only be referred to on the availability of a ferry, which is the only means of connecting the area to Kwahu South, Kwahu West and other surrounding districts.

At a review meeting at Koforidua, Dr Ofosu lamented the inequitable distribution of staff and the unwillingness of others to accept posting, especially to deprived areas.

“The worse affected areas remain Kwahu Afram Plains districts, both North and South.”

He added the Eastern Region is still faced with inequitable distribution of staff due to the unwillingness of staff to accept postings to some places.

“We are also struggling to have reasonable number of doctors and other staff at closer places, such as Fanteakwa North [and]Asesewa.”

Dr Ofosu pointed out that even though it is well known that the Eastern Region is attractive, the main attractive areas are those bordering the Greater Accra Region – Nsawam, Akwapem North and South, and in recent times Kyebi.

The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, urged the Eastern Regional Health Directorate to initiate steps to re-distribute staff.