The Ghana Physician Assistant Association (GPAA) has called on government to fast-track key policy reforms and grant financial clearance for thousands of unemployed Physician Assistants (PAs) to help address critical shortages in primary healthcare across the country.
The appeal was made during the Association’s 22nd Annual General Conference, held at the Pentecost Convention Centre, Millennium City, Gomoa Fette, from October 21–25, 2025.
The conference, themed “Repositioning Physician Assistants for Leadership in Primary Health Care: A Call for Innovation, Collaboration, and Professional Recognition,” brought together government officials, regulators, development partners, and practitioners to reflect on the evolving role of PAs in achieving equitable healthcare.
Speaking at the event, GPAA President, Peter Ayamba Akurugu, expressed concern over persistent systemic challenges, including the lack of a national policy framework to guide PA development, placement, and career progression.
According to him, the absence of financial clearance since 2019 has left more than 6,000 qualified PAs unemployed, despite severe shortages in rural health facilities.
He also criticized a directive by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) that bars private facilities managed by licensed PAs from being credentialed to provide insured services. He described the directive as discriminatory and counterproductive to efforts to expand national health insurance coverage.
Mr. Akurugu further called on the Ghana Health Service and the Medical and Dental Council to officially recognize and deploy specialized PAs—particularly those trained in dermatology and psychiatry—to strengthen service delivery.
The GPAA reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ghana’s pursuit of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030, insisting that fully utilizing the PA workforce is essential to achieving equitable and accessible primary healthcare nationwide.
Source: a1radioonline.com|101.1|Moses Apiah|Bolgatanga
