By Godfred A. Polkuu
Bolgatanga, March 11, GNA – The management of the Presbyterian Health Services-North, has held discussions with Mr. Donatus Akamugri Atanga, the Upper East Regional Minister, on possibilities of reopening the Presbyterian Nursing Training College in Bawku (PNTC).
The college, located on the premises of the Presbyterian Hospital in the Mamprusi dominated area in the Bawku municipality, was closed several months ago, owing to the conflict situation in the area.
Reverend James Kwame Awuni, Chairman of the Presbyterian Health Services-North, who led a delegation to the Minister’s office, said the situation in the area compelled Kusasi student nurses to attend lectures at the Bawku Senior High School (SHS).
He stressed the need to have the College reopen as both factions in the conflict oppose the idea to relocate the College to the Regional capital, Bolgatanga.
Management also used the opportunity to solicit support from government to expand the only 10-bed capacity specialist Psychiatric Hospital in the Region, established by the Presbyterian Church in the Bolgatanga Municipality.
Dr Dennis Daliri, the Specialist Psychiatrist in charge of the facility, said the hospital’s capacity was inadequate to accommodate the large number of psychiatric cases received.
He said some patients were compelled to sleep on the floor for lack of space and appealed to the government to support expanding the facility to improve psychiatric care in the Region.
Mr. Atanga said the request to reopen the College would be discussed at both the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) and the Bawku Municipal Security Council (MUSEC) meetings.
He said all necessary security arrangements would be considered for possible reopening of the College and reiterated the need for calm in the area for the security situation to be addressed.
The Minister, who is the Chairman of the REGSEC, assured leadership of the Presbyterian Health Services-North, that “This issue will receive maximum attention”.
Some tutors of the College whom the Ghana News Agency contacted on the situation of the College, lamented the challenges they faced moving between the main campus and the satellite campus of the Bawku SHS for lectures.
“This has been the situation for some time now. In fact, before my posting there last year, it already existed and that was one of the reasons I was considered and posted there. Because, as a neutral person, I am stationed at the main campus but do go to the SHS to teach the other students.
“I agree with the call by leadership to have the College reopen because, we vacated since November and other Colleges have reopened while we are still home without knowing our fate,” a tutor told the GNA on condition of anonymity.
GNA
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