Healthcare Workforce Dynamics and Performance in Ghana’s Upper East Region: A Comprehensive Review
The Upper East Region of Ghana experienced a significant shift in its healthcare workforce composition in 2024, marked by a combination of departures, reassignments, and new arrivals. Thirteen nurses vacated their positions, 96 were transferred out of the region, and three resigned. These changes underscore the dynamic nature of healthcare staffing and the ongoing challenges in achieving optimal workforce distribution, especially in resource-constrained settings. The impact of these changes on service delivery, particularly in underserved areas, merits further investigation. The Region’s nurse population geographical equity index saw a slight decrease from 0.40 in 2023 to 0.39 in 2024, falling short of the 0.55 target. This metric highlights the persistent disparity in nurse distribution across the region, potentially impacting access to essential healthcare services, especially for vulnerable populations.
Despite the challenges posed by nurse attrition and redistribution, the region witnessed a positive trend in physician staffing. The number of doctors increased during the review period, resulting in an improved doctor-to-population ratio. The ratio decreased from 1:18,979 in 2023 to 1:17,833 in 2024, indicating improved access to physician care. This positive development has the potential to enhance healthcare service delivery and contribute to better health outcomes. However, attention should also be given to the distribution of physicians across the region to ensure equitable access, not just overall numerical improvement.
The 2024 annual performance review of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in the Upper East Region provided a valuable platform to assess achievements, address challenges, and formulate strategies for the future. The review highlighted the region’s remarkable strides in key performance indicators despite facing several obstacles. The theme, "Using Network of Practice (NoP) to drive universal access to quality maternal health care," reflects the GHS’s commitment to strengthening collaboration and knowledge sharing among healthcare professionals to improve maternal health outcomes. This collaborative approach is crucial for addressing complex health challenges and ensuring that best practices are disseminated and implemented effectively.
One of the most significant achievements highlighted in the review was the region’s success in eliminating malaria deaths in 2024. This achievement is particularly noteworthy considering malaria’s status as the leading cause of outpatient department attendance. The absence of malaria deaths, including among children under five years old, underscores the effectiveness of ongoing malaria control interventions and the dedication of healthcare workers in implementing preventive measures. The continued focus on evidence-based interventions like Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) will be vital in sustaining this progress and working towards malaria elimination in Ghana as a whole.
The region’s performance in maternal health indicators also showed positive trends, although some areas require further attention. The proportion of deliveries attended by trained health workers exceeded the regional target of 65% in both 2023 (78.4%) and 2024 (73.1%), albeit with a slight decrease in the latter year. This slight decline warrants further investigation to understand contributing factors and implement corrective measures. The proportion of mothers completing at least four antenatal care visits also increased from 85.3% in 2023 to 88.4% in 2024, surpassing the 85% target. This consistent improvement highlights the success of efforts to promote antenatal care utilization, which is essential for early detection and management of pregnancy-related complications.
Overall, the Upper East Region’s health sector demonstrated resilience and progress in 2024 despite facing workforce challenges. The increase in physician numbers, the elimination of malaria deaths, and the positive trends in maternal health indicators are commendable achievements. However, addressing the nurse attrition and geographical distribution imbalances remains a crucial area of focus to ensure equitable access to quality healthcare services for all residents. The commitment to collaborative approaches, evidenced by the focus on Networks of Practice, is a promising strategy for strengthening healthcare delivery and improving health outcomes in the region. Sustaining gains and addressing remaining challenges will require ongoing investment in healthcare infrastructure, human resources, and evidence-based interventions. Continued collaboration among stakeholders, including government agencies, healthcare professionals, development partners, and community members, will be essential for building a resilient and equitable health system that caters to the needs of all.
