The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has urged healthcare workers to uphold professionalism, empathy, and loyalty.
According to him, healthcare facilities must become sanctuaries of care, respect, and dignity for every patient, and not the reverse.
He was addressing the 2nd Ghana Health Service Excellence Awards held on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, in Accra.
The President’s admonishment was to build public trust in the health sector.
“We need to guard against ethical lapses, indifference, and lack of compassion, which have no place in our healthcare system. Such conduct erodes public trust and diminishes the dignity of citizens. I urge all healthcare professionals to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, empathy, and loyalty,” the president said.
He continued that, “Our health care facilities must become sanctuaries of care, respect, and dignity for every patient. Together, let us enhance the public perception of our health system by prioritising client satisfaction and delivering compassionate, patient-centred care.”
VALUES
Speaking about the awards, President Akufo-Addo said they exemplified the values that underpin the nation’s aspirations for a healthier and more prosperous future.
He commended the leadership of the Ghana Health Service for executing the initiative.
Describing the initiative as laudable, President Akufo-Addo observed that it honours the unsung heroes of the health care sector.
“To all distinguished awardees, I extend my warmest congratulations. Your sense of duty, selflessness, and strong commitment to saving lives inspires us all,” he said.
STRIDE
According to the President, his administration has made significant strides to bridge the critical staffing gaps in the health sector.
He said that over the last eight years, his government has recruited 202,527 medical personnel.
The President indicated that 745 healthcare facilities are being connected to high-speed internet and establishing a state-of-the-art data centre as part of the digital transformation.
The National Health Insurance Scheme, he noted, now benefits some 17.9 million Ghanaians, up from 11.3 million Ghanaians in 2016.
The Flagship Agenda 111 initiative, being undertaken at an estimated cost of US$1.765 billion, has an average overall completion rate of 70%.
INVESTMENT
In his welcome address, the Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kuma Aboagye, lauded the investment by the government and development partners in the health sector.
According to him, those investments have enhanced health infrastructure, including remote projects, rehabilitation, and other elements.
He said the enhancements in infrastructure, including facility innovations, liquid oxygen infrastructure, transport resources, and refrigerated trucks, motorcycles, tricycles, boats, and vehicles, have significantly strengthened their ability to deliver services, even in the most challenging regions.
“In the area of human resources, despite the high attrition recently among nurses and midwives, our health workforce saw a 51.7% increase from 79,408 in 2021 to 120,425 in 2023, with the promotion of 34,000 employees and 3,000 start-ups,” he added.
HEALTH WORKERS DAY
In his address, Dr. Patrick Aboagye advocated the institution of a national health workers day, drawing attention to the day set aside to celebrate farmers.
“Your Excellencies, it is important to strengthen the remarkable sacrifices of our health workers, who truly deserve national recognition and deeper appreciation. While tonight’s awards fulfil part of this obligation, I strongly advocate for the institution of the National Health Workers’ Day. Like the nationally dedicated teachers and clubs, such a day will provide a formal platform to honour and celebrate our extraordinary dedication to health workers,” he appealed.
He further argued that it was an opportunity to acknowledge the invaluable support of development partners, traditional leaders, health providers, and philanthropists, whose partnership strengthens the mission to deliver quality health care to every family.
At the night, which showcased Ghanaian culture through music while recognising the efforts of health workers, the Ghana Health Service presented awards to 77 outstanding individuals and institutions, including stakeholders who have contributed exceptionally to the health care delivery across the country.
The overall winner was Vivian Opoku Keremeh from Dumasa CHPS in the Sunyani West District.
