Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has urged the government to settle the outstanding allowances of pharmacy house officers, describing the delay as “troubling and unfair.”
Speaking at the 2024 Annual General Meeting of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSGH) in Kumasi, he highlighted that many pharmacy house officers, who have completed their housemanship, have yet to receive their due payments.
“These young, dedicated professionals are committed to serving the healthcare needs of our nation,” he said, emphasizing the injustice of their situation.
Deputized by the Paramount Chief of Kumawu, Barima Sarfo Tweneboa Kodua, Otumfuo called on the government to “prioritize and expedite the immediate payment of these allowances.”
He also stressed the urgent need for more pharmacists in government hospitals to tackle the pressing healthcare challenges facing the country.
“Many government hospitals and clinics operate without pharmacists, leaving a critical gap in healthcare delivery,” the Asante Monarch noted.
He emphasized that pharmacists are indispensable for providing quality healthcare, urging the government to act swiftly in employing them, especially in underserved areas.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister for Health Hon. Alexander Akwasi Acquah assured that the Ministry is making progress in discussions with the Ministry of Finance to secure financial clearance for the recruitment of pharmacists to fill vacancies in government facilities.
