He
says every service provider in the sector – especially those not in the frontlines
like doctors, nurses and pharmacists – has a significant role to play, hence must
be accorded due recognition.
He
spoke on the theme “Delivering Safe and Effective Practice and Healthcare: The
Role of the Allied Health Professionals” at the induction ceremony for allied
health interns in Kumasi.
Allied
health professionals – including optical technicians, laboratory technicians
and assistants and physiotherapy assistants – constitute about 60 percent of
the total health workforce in Ghana.
They
provide diagnostic, preventive, therapeutic, rehabilitative and supportive care
across the range of health services.
Prof.
Agbenyaga observed that the contributions of some health professionals may not
be acknowledged, the most important thing is to meet the expectation of
patients.
He
particularly referred to the importance of the medical laboratory specialists
in disease diagnosis for preventive purposes.
Acting
Registrar of the Allied Health Professions Council, Dr. Clement Opoku-Okrah, enjoined
the interns to search for improved and better ways of managing health for the
betterment of clients and the population.
He
also appealed to government ease the long period it takes to employed graduates
after their internship programme.
Ashanti
regional minister, Dr. Samuel Sarpong observed the need to build capacity of
health professionals “in providing essential preventive and treatment services”.
“Government
recognizes the important of allied health services and has dedicated a portion
of its research and programming interest to understanding and addressing the
needs of those professionals in the nation,” he stated.
Story
by Kofi Adu Domfeh
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