MDGs are achievable – Prof Binka
Professor Fred Binka, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in Ho has observed that the seemingly daunting health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) could be achieved.
He said the example of the Kassena Nankena District in the Upper East Region, where a big impact has been made on the goals is an example to guide the rest of the country.
Prof Binka was addressing a durbar of nurses at Peki Government Hospital at Peki to herald the 2013 Nurses Week in the Volta Region.
It was on the theme: “Closing the Gap: Millennium Development Goal 4, 5 and 6.”
Prof Binka said efforts at achieving the goals should be sustained, whilst the nation should work towards the scaling up of the good strategies and introducing new interventions.
The MDG 4 is about reducing child mortality, MDG 5, improving maternal health and MDG 6, combating HIV and AIDS, malaria and other diseases.
Prof Binka said nurses have a critical role to play in the nations march towards achieving the goals in the areas of integrated management of childhood diseases, antenatal, delivery, postnatal and neonatal care, reproductive and sexual health services for men and women, including family planning.
He urged nurses to “break through barriers and challenges to deliver the MDGs and meet the health needs of the poorest, the most marginalised and underserved communities in the country and in the Volta Region”.
Dr Joseph Teye Neurtey, Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service expressed disappointment at the dwindling number of midwives in the region.
He said there are only 267, manning 300 health facilities and many more keep on dropping out of the service due to retirement.
Dr Nuertey said a second midwifery training school is in the offing at Keta.
Madam Innocentia Gborgblorvor, Chairperson of Ghana Registered Nurses Association, said the Association is tackling critical issues facing nurses such as resolving outstanding challenges related to the post migration of nurses and midwives unto the Single Spine Salary Structure.
Madam Comfort Agbadza, Regional Deputy Director Nursing Services, who chaired the function called for rededication of nurses to their pledges to work for the good of mankind.
Madam Agbadza reminded nurses of the dedication, sacrificial posture, hard work and compassionate nature of Florence Nightingale, regarded as founder of modern nursing, whose birthday is associated with the Nurses Week, marked every year.
Source: GNA