Public Agenda NewsPaperPublic Agenda NewsPaper
  • General News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Health
  • Development Agenda
  • World News
  • Features & Opinions
  • Election watch
  • Editorial
Font ResizerAa
Public Agenda NewsPaperPublic Agenda NewsPaper
Font ResizerAa
  • General News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Health
  • Development Agenda
  • World News
  • Features & Opinions
  • Election watch
  • Editorial
Search
  • General News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Health
  • Development Agenda
  • World News
  • Features & Opinions
  • Election watch
  • Editorial
Follow US
Breaking NewsGeneral News

No Psychiatrist In Volta Region

Latifa Carlos
Last updated: October 24, 2018 2:55 pm
Latifa Carlos
Share
3 Min Read
Dr Kwasi Osei
Dr Kwasi Osei
SHARE

Patients requiring medical attention for mental health illnesses in the Volta Region have been left with no other option than to seek treatment elsewhere, as the region has no psychiatrist.

Two years after the retirement of the only psychiatrist in the Volta Region, the region is yet to get another doctor to provide mental healthcare to the people.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Mental Health Authority (MHA), Dr. Akwesi Osei, disclosed that it has been difficult to get a replacement for the retired psychiatrist as the MHA was yet to receive clearance from government to recruit one.

He said although government could have engaged him (the retiree) on contract basis, that could not happen, and so the psychiatrist voluntarily offers his services to patients as and when he is able to.

Only 25 Psychiatrists nationwide

Dr. Osei indicated that Ghana has only 25 psychiatrists attending to the myriad of mental health issues in the country.

He said out of the 25 psychiatrists, there is only one in the Volta Region who is currently retired, three at Ankaful, five in Kumasi and the rest are in Accra,thus, Pantang and the Accra Psychiatric Hospital.

Dr. Osei observed that about 20 doctors are currently under training with the hope to be absorbed into the system to support mental health delivery across the country.

He, however, added that although the authority was working on improving the psychiatric doctor to patient ration from 1:1 million to 1:4000, the issue of stigmatisation, discrimination, inadequate incentives for mental health professionals, among others, were making a lot of them divert from mental health.

Dr. Osei blamed the sorry state of mental healthcare in the country on government’s lack of support and prioritisation of mental health issues.

He cited that passing the Legislative Instrument (LI) on Mental Health Levy, for instance, has become impossible although the Mental Health Bill has been passed.

Dr. Osei added that several engagements to get the levy into operation have yielded no results.

For him, without the Mental Health Levy, implementing the bill would be difficult.

 

Source: Daily Guide

Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp Email Copy Link Print

Latest News

Ablekuma North: EC to rerun Parliamentary Election in 19 Polling Stations
July 2, 2025
Mid-Year budget to clarify road contractor payments – Ampem Nyarko
July 2, 2025
 ISODEC Urges Citizens to Engage More in Local Governance Processes 
July 2, 2025
Mfantseman Youth Trained to Strengthen Local Governance Participation 
July 2, 2025
Government Reaffirms Commitment to Investment-Friendly Environment to Attract Development Financing
July 1, 2025
New UN report charts path out of debt crisis threatening global development
June 30, 2025
World Bank backs Ghana $360m to strengthen macroeconomic stability
June 30, 2025

You Might Also Like

Breaking NewsElection watchtop stories

GJA holds national and regional elections today

June 30, 2025
Breaking NewsBusinesstop stories

PURC announces 2.45% increase in Electricity tariffs from July 1

June 26, 2025
Breaking NewsBusinesstop stories

Iran cannot unilaterally shut Strait of Hormuz – NPA boss

June 23, 2025
Breaking NewsBusinesstop stories

Israel-Iran war: Fuel prices likely to rise in July – COPEC

June 23, 2025

About Us

Public Agenda is fou­nded and owned by Pu­blic Agenda Communic­ations.

Public Agenda was founded as a public interest Me­dia entity. Its Visi­on is to contribute to building a well-i­nformed society where accurate informati­on dissemination is the cornerstone of a democratic, just and equitable society.

Its mission is to inform, guide and bui­ld responsible citiz­enship and accountab­le decision making and strive for excell­ence in the media in­dustry. Public Agenda Communications is managed by a Board of Directors.

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?