The Bulsa South District in Ghana’s Upper East Region is grappling with a critical shortage of health personnel, with only one medical doctor currently serving at the district hospital in Fumbisi, according to the District Health Director, Mr. Emmanuel K. Kob-Puo.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Voice of BULUK, Mr. Kob-Puo confirmed the situation, describing it as a major challenge affecting healthcare delivery across the district.
At Least Three Doctors Needed for Bulsa South
According to the District Health Director, the current staffing level falls far below what is required to serve the district’s growing population.
“Considering the population of Bulsa South, the district requires a minimum of three medical doctors to function effectively,” he stated.
He explained that the shortage is not limited to doctors alone, noting that midwives, nurses, and other healthcare professionals are also insufficient across health facilities, particularly at CHPS compounds and rural health centres.
Posting Challenges in the Upper East Region
Mr. Kob-Puo revealed that in 2025, about 35 medical doctors were posted to the Upper East Region. However, as of December 2025, only four doctors had reported to the region, a situation he described as deeply worrying.
Although the Regional Health Directorate had earmarked two doctors for Bulsa South, the district is yet to benefit from these postings due to widespread non-acceptance of placements.
Poor Road Network Discouraging Medical Staff
The District Health Director identified poor road infrastructure as the single biggest factor discouraging medical professionals from accepting postings to Bulsa South.
“Due to the nature of our roads, many medical staff find it difficult to accept postings here,” he explained.
He further noted that the deprived nature of the district, coupled with limited social amenities, makes it less attractive compared to urban postings, a challenge common to many rural districts in northern Ghana.
District and Regional Efforts to Attract Health Workers
Despite the challenges, Mr. Kob-Puo said his office is working closely with the Regional Health Director to improve staffing levels in the district.
Among the measures being implemented include:
- Renting and providing accommodation for health workers
- Construction of semi-detached bungalows approved by the District Assembly for medical staff
- Sponsorship of medical students, who are bonded to return and serve in Bulsa South after completion
He disclosed that two sponsored medical students are currently studying medicine at the University for Development Studies (UDS) and are expected to return to serve the district upon graduation.
Managing Staff Exodus and Service Gaps
The Health Director also revealed that several health workers who have served in Bulsa South for three to four years have expressed their desire to leave the district.
To ensure continuity of healthcare services, his office has reached out to nearby nursing training colleges to post student nurses to health facilities in the district for their clinical attachments.
This intervention, he said, helps reduce pressure on existing staff while maintaining basic service delivery.
Appeal to Bulsa Health Professionals
Mr. Kob-Puo made a passionate appeal to indigenes of Bulsa South who are trained nurses or medical doctors to consider returning home to serve, even if only for a few years.
“Serving your people will encourage and motivate other health workers to accept postings to the district,” he noted.
An Underserved District in Urgent Need
He concluded by describing Bulsa South as critically underserved in terms of health personnel, warning that without urgent intervention, the situation could worsen.
The shortage of healthcare workers remains a major obstacle to achieving equitable healthcare delivery in rural districts across Ghana, despite ongoing efforts by the Ghana Health Service and local authorities.
