The Principal of Sampa College of Nursing and Midwifery, Dr. Albert Opoku has noted that Healthcare remains one of the most vital pillars for national development, stressing that a healthy population is a productive population.
“Health is a human right and not a privilege to be purchased,” Mr. Opoku noted, referencing Kofi Annan, former UN General Secretary.
Dr. Opoku who presided over the Annual Performance Review of the Jaman North District Directorate of the Ghana Health Services noted that the Performance Review was not just a routine evaluation exercise, but a strategic moment of reflection, accountability and renewed commitment to the health of our people, emphasising that “What gets measured gets improved”.
He indicated that the forum was to measure, not simply to criticise, but to learn; not only to review numbers, but to assess impact; not purely to identify gaps, but to design solutions.
The Principal noted that Reviews provide an opportunity to examine service delivery indicators, evaluate maternal and child health outcomes, assess disease control interventions, as well as review health financing and logistics systems, and strengthen collaboration among stakeholders.
He indicated that in the health sector, performance review is not about fault-finding, but rather progress tracking, as well as transparency, accountability and most importantly about improving patient outcomes.
The Principal pledged the commitment of the College of Nursing and Midwifery to partner the Jaman North District Health Directorate, noting that his outfit was not only to train competent nurses and midwives, but also to produce professionals who are compassionate, ethical and community-oriented.
The Principal of Sampa College of Nursing and Midwifery further noted that excellence in healthcare demands discipline, integrity, and continuous learning, acknowledging the health challenges faced by health professionals – maternal mortality, teenage pregnancy, malaria and non-communicable diseases among others.
“Let us remember that statistics represent lives. Behind every percentage is a mother, a child, and a family. Behind every indicator is a community depending on our competence and dedication,” the Principal reminded the participants.
Touching on the theme “Accountability in Health Governance”, Dr. Albert Opoku disclosed that it was very important at the district level, where policies meet reality, urging participants to celebrate successes such as immunisation coverage improvements, skilled delivery rates, and disease surveillance efforts, while boldly confronting areas that require strengthening.
He reminded them of World Health Organisation’s advice that “The ultimate goal of health systems is to improve people’s health” and stressed the need to be guided by these principles.
The Principal of Sampa College of Nursing and Midwifery further urged all stakeholders to strengthen inter-facility collaboration, invest in staff capacity building, improve data quality and reporting systems, enhance community engagement, promote professionalism and ethical practice.
He recommended that plans must be monitored and commitments fulfilled and translated into action stressing that the future of healthcare delivery in Jaman North District depends on the decisions stakeholders make.
From Oswald P. Freiku, Sampa
