Pharmacists in the Volta and Oti Regions are appealing to the government for urgent action to address what they describe as an unsustainable workload in public health facilities. They are calling for increased recruitment of pharmaceutical professionals and the provision of incentives to encourage and retain staff in underserved areas.

The plea was made by Dr Pharm. Courage Ketor, Chairman of the Volta and Oti Chapters of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH), during the Society’s inaugural Dinner and Awards Night held in Ho.

Dr. Ketor warned that the current number of pharmacists is insufficient to meet the demands of hospitals and health centres, leading to significant congestion in pharmacies and outpatient departments. He stated that this pressure is not only impacting efficiency but also negatively affecting the quality of patient care, with long waiting times becoming commonplace.

“Our facilities are overstretched. You go to the OPD or the pharmacy, and the queues are overwhelming because there are simply not enough pharmacists to attend to patients,” he said, adding that immediate recruitment clearance would provide substantial relief.

Acknowledging the commitment of pharmacists to serve wherever posted, Dr. Ketor highlighted the sacrifices involved, particularly for young professionals taking up positions in rural and deprived communities.

He encouraged newly qualified pharmacists to embrace postings to underserved areas, assuring them of mentorship and support from experienced colleagues. “We have served in similar conditions before, and we are ready to welcome and mentor those who are posted. Their contribution will not go unnoticed,” he noted.

However, Dr. Ketor emphasized that relying solely on goodwill is no longer sufficient. He urged the government to complement its policies with tangible incentives, including allowances for rural and deprived areas, accommodation assistance, and other essential benefits.

According to him, the lack of such incentives makes rural postings less appealing, especially considering the extensive education and internship required to become a pharmacist. “Young pharmacists invest years into their education. When they are posted to deprived areas without any additional support, it becomes difficult for them to settle and stay. If the government truly wants healthcare professionals in these areas, it must make those postings worthwhile,” he said.

To bolster long-term retention, Dr. Ketor proposed the introduction of temporary stipends for pharmacists in their early years of service, a practical measure to strengthen pharmaceutical care in underserved communities.

The Dinner and Awards Night, a first for the Volta and Oti PSGH chapters, brought together pharmacists and stakeholders to celebrate achievements, discuss challenges, and advocate for increased support for pharmaceutical service delivery in the regions.

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