The Chairman of Parliament’s Health Committee, Hon. Mark Kurt Nawaane, is urging the government to expand medical training opportunities by partnering with private health institutions, particularly progressive ones such as Entrance University of Health Sciences, to save money and better prepare students for Ghana’s health challenges.
Dr. Nawaane argued that sending students abroad for medical education is costly and often inefficient, with stipends delayed and graduates returning without exposure to local disease patterns.
“The last time we were in Parliament contributing to emergency care, I mentioned that there are now private medical schools in Ghana,” he said. “Instead of funding students abroad and paying stipends that are not even received on time, why don’t we find a way to have our own son (institutions) take in more students?”
He added that training students locally would strengthen the health system. “We can have them study here in Ghana, acquaint them with the disease patterns, and provide better services,” he said.
Hon. Nawaane made the remarks during the National Health Dialogue organized by Tobinco Media Group on Wednesday, March 25, at Sika Hall. The event, supported by Entrance University Hospital, brought together stakeholders, including leaders of the Ghana Registered Midwives and Nurses Association.
The dialogues focused on pressing issues in the health sector, including the “no bed” syndrome, rural health care delivery, and the brain drain of medical professionals. Participants emphasized the need for reforms that would keep more health workers in Ghana while improving access to care in underserved areas.
Dr. Nawaane’s proposal highlights a growing debate over how Ghana should invest in its future health workforce. By shifting resources from foreign training to local institutions, he said, the government could reduce costs and ensure graduates are better equipped to serve communities across the country.
