CUBAN DOCTORS HONOURED

02-04-2010 CUBAN DOCTORS HONOURED

The 11th Regional Scientific Workshop of the Cuban Medical Brigade has taken place at Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region. The workshop which was on the theme: “Achieving Better Health and Wealth creation in the Upper East Region through Research and Partnership “attracted personnel from the regional health directorate, Medical Superintendents, District Directors of Health Services, Medical staff, Members of the Cuban Medical brigade as well as the press. The annual Regional Scientific Workshop of the Ghana-Cuban Medical Brigade, the 11th of its kind in the region, is geared at strengthening the bond of friendship between the two countries in efforts at providing quality health care delivery at the door step of the people at the community level. The workshop is also being held in honour and recognition of the immense hard work, contribution and sacrifices exhibited by the Cuba Medical personnel in the face of the many health challenges confronting the region, particularly, the acute shortage of doctors, nurses and midwives, laboratory and other health professionals. Despite some Ghanaian doctors refusal to accept postings to the three northern regions, the Upper East region continues to enjoy the services of the Cuban doctors in a situation where the Regional Hospital currently has only two doctors instead of 25 with only one doctor manning each district hospital instead of 16. The Regional Director of Health Services, Dr John Koku-Awoonor Williams, who was full of praise to the Cuban fraternity in the area of scientific research, outlined some motivational packages aimed at enhancing the human resource base for staff, including the Cuban doctors. In view of this, a 33-seater and 15-seater buses have been newly acquired by the regional health directorate with support from the Ghana Health Services (GHS) to facilitate the movement of the Cuban doctors in the discharge of their official duties. Dr Awoonor-Williams also pledged to address the accommodation needs of the doctors couple with the provision of free utility, entertainment and internet facilities to ensure their safety and luxury. The Head of the Cuban Medical Brigade, Dr Felipe Delgado Bustillo on behalf of his team commended their Ghanaian counterparts for their meritorious role and assistance in ensuring that safe, affordable and reliable health care delivery in the deprived communities. Dr Bustillo noted that the first congress on public health between Ghana and Cuba would take place in July, this year in Accra.
and also called on all stakeholders in the health sector to join hands in making the event a success.. He pledged the brigade’s continuous assistance in reducing Malaria, morbidity as well as infant mortality cases to its barest minimum. Participants were taken through various presentations on issues and health problems affecting the region The Cuban team, accompanied by the Deputy Regional Health Administrator, Lucio Dery, later paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Mrs. Lucy Awuni at the residency to officially announce their stay in the region.

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