Half of Ghanaian Doctors Now Working Abroad – Ghana Human Development Report

The latest Ghana Human Development Report reveals a worrying trend: a significant number of healthcare professionals are leaving Ghana due to poor working conditions.

Titled ‘The Future Value of Work in Ghana,’ the report, a collaboration between the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Statistical Service, and National Development Planning Commission, indicates that 24% of locally trained nurses and 50% of doctors have moved abroad.

This exodus poses a serious threat to Ghana’s healthcare system, potentially leading to its collapse if immediate action isn’t taken. Despite showing resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ghana’s health sector faced challenges such as shortages of essential supplies like personal protective equipment (PPE) and skilled personnel.

The report calls for urgent reforms to address these issues, including improvements in working conditions and the adoption of a comprehensive health policy that encompasses health promotion, palliative care, and rehabilitative services. It also suggests a life course approach to healthcare delivery, aiming to better serve vulnerable groups like the elderly and persons with disabilities.

In summary, the report highlights the critical need for Ghana to stem the loss of healthcare professionals and strengthen its health system to meet current and future challenges effectively.