FOR the simple reason that the sages say “A healthy mind is in a healthy body”, individuals, communities and the government spend a major part of their resources to keep themselves and their people healthy.
It is only when the people are healthy that they can contribute to economic development to create wealth for themselves and society.
It is also a fact that the gap between healthcare delivery and access to health care is especially pronounced in rural Ghana.
The architects of the country’s decentralisation process had in mind the need to spread development throughout the country, a development that will, in the end, bring services such as education, health care and infrastructure to our rural communities.
However, this exercise has been fraught with challenges whose solutions seem out of sight in the foreseeable future, though the challenges themselves are surmountable.
The DAILY GRAPHIC takes note of the “can do” spirit exhibited by the authorities of the University for Development Studies (UDS) by taking the bull by the horn and determining their own destiny.
The construction of three blocks, at the cost of GH¢319,000, through internally generated funds to solve the major challenge of the medical students having to travel to the nearest teaching hospital, the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, a journey of more than 300 miles from the campus of the UDS, is commendable and worthy of praise.
We also take note of the short period (three months) within which the project has been completed by the UDS. It goes to show the seriousness the authorities attach to solving their own challenges.
Like many public sector institutions, the UDS has not relied on government funds, which could have taken years, if not decades, in coming to achieve that dream.
Recognising the need to close the doctor-patient ratio and also help produce more qualified doctors, the authorities have taken a rather bold decision to do what is right.
The DAILY GRAPHIC does not, therefore, hesitate to doff its hat for the exemplary leadership and visionary achievement of the UDS authorities. Some will dismiss this feat, but if all public institutions take a cue from this development and take decisions that will help alleviate the plight of the very people whose taxes keep public institutions running, Ghana could be making giant strides towards progress.
The example shown also brings to the fore once again the argument of making public universities autonomous.
This particular act by the UDS authorities clearly makes a strong case for partial independence for the public universities, if not absolute independence.
Many of our public universities have chalked up some tremendous achievements and the DAILY GRAPHIC believes that further support will make them stand on their feat, especially so when foreign universities are finding Ghana a fertile ground for their recruitment and business development.
The health sector needs the collective support of all Ghanaians. We need more doctors, as well as healthcare facilities and projects that will further make the life of every Ghanaian much better.
The UDS authorities need our encouragement in their efforts at training more doctors, especially for the three northern regions of Ghana.
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