The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has raised serious concerns over the widespread refusal of newly posted medical doctors to report to their assigned duty stations, giving them an additional one-week grace period to comply.

His directive follows worrying national data showing that seven out of every 10 newly posted doctors had failed to assume their positions.

The situation is particularly alarming in regions with acute healthcare needs.

As of last Friday, both the Upper West and Upper East Regions had recorded no reported cases of doctors reporting to post.

In the Upper West Region alone, 25 out of the 32 doctors posted have declined their placements, a development that threatens healthcare delivery for the nearly one million people who rely on already limited medical staff.

Minister Akandoh emphasised that the government would not alter the postings, urging the doctors to honour their national obligations.

He added that the ministry was working with local authorities and key stakeholders to ensure the doctors received necessary support when they take up their roles.

The health minister warned that further delays could worsen the already fragile healthcare situation in underserved regions and insisted that the doctors must report within the extended deadline.