Volta Region launches GHS first anniversary

Ho, Feb. 9 GNA- The Volta Regional Directorate of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) on Monday launched a month-long first anniversary celebration in connection with the establishment of the Service. The activities will include media encounters, open days at all health facilities in the region, exhibitions, regional and district award schemes for personnel, ancillary staff and health institutions. The celebrations will be climaxed with a thanksgiving service.

Dr McDamien Dedzo, acting Regional Director of the Service who announced this at a press conference said the celebration was to showcase the achievement of GHS after attaining autonomy in accordance with the promulgation of ACT 525, which made the Service a corporate entity in healthcare service delivery.

He said it is also to provide quality healthcare and make it accessible and affordable to all irrespective of social status, race, religion or political affiliation.

"We are proud to state categorically that the Ministry of Health and GHS have achieved immense success in this separation of roles and responsibilities", Dr Dedzo said.

He catalogued some achievements for the Service within the period as adequate placement of its human resource requirements especially the appointment of doctors, medical superintendents on competitive basis, re-aligning to facilitate the smooth take-off of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and working hard to retain and attract personnel with improved conditions of service.

Dr Dedzo said the brain drain and the exodus of health personnel to foreign countries, was being addressed.

The celebration is under the theme, "Eat Well, Stay Healthy and Live Longer".