The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has issued a strong warning to medical doctors who refuse postings to underserved districts, stating that they risk forfeiting their placement opportunities as the government intensifies efforts to address inequities in healthcare delivery.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Wednesday, April 22, the Minister revealed that a significant number of doctors have historically declined postings to deprived regions—a trend he said continues to undermine equitable access to healthcare across the country.
He disclosed that nearly 50% of doctors are concentrated in the Greater Accra Region, rising to about 70% when combined with the Ashanti Region, leaving many districts critically underserved. He said this imbalance has compelled the Ministry to enforce stricter posting policies.
“Since they have legitimate concerns, they cannot deny people care by refusing to go to the districts,” he stated, stressing that government’s priority is to ensure fair access to healthcare nationwide.
The Minister noted that in 2024, only 12 doctors accepted postings to eight identified underserved regions.
However, he said recent interventions have led to some improvement, with about 100 doctors now taking up similar postings.
Mr Akandoh indicated that the Ministry will soon roll out a directive to reassign opportunities to doctors willing to serve in deprived areas, warning that those who decline postings will lose their slots.
“We are going to state that those who have not accepted the postings will be deprived of that opportunity, and we will open it up. Even if you completed yesterday and you are a fully qualified medical doctor willing to go, we will give you that opportunity,” he said.
