Prof Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has said the Service is committed to reforms and transformation to achieve the resetting agenda with focus on a cost-effective strategy for sustainable healthcare delivery.
He reaffirmed government’s plans to streamline the Service structure and eliminate duplications at all levels and promote branding and visibility of GHS.
Prof Akoriyea stated this during the opening ceremony of a two-day 2024 Volta Region Annual Health Sector Performance Review in Ho.
It is themed, “Strengthening the Primary Healthcare System for improved Access to Quality Health Service Delivery: The Role of Networks of Practice (NoP), which attracted health professionals across board, and other stakeholders including development partners and chiefs.
He said the GHS remained the largest agency responsible for implanting policies under the Health Ministry and some progress had been made in the last two decades including improved access, infrastructure, human resource financing and established health systems structures.
He said the Service had chalked some achievements in access to infrastructure and workforce, increased access to health services over the years from primary to secondary level.
“We provide the control and coordination of some diseases, establish the best immunization programmes and surveillance systems as well as established structures to respond to public health emergencies.
Notwithstanding these successes, Prof Akoriyea noted the GHS was bedeviled with some challenges including funding challenges, migration, infrastructural deterioration and public dissatisfaction and trust deficit.
He called for improvement and strengthening of their work culture to reduce professional conflict and unhealthy conditions.
Under the priority of staff welfare and motivation, the D-G called for enhanced workforce capacity and motivation, and restructuring of staff welfare scheme including retirement.
“We need to remove barriers to HR and core functions and short-time promotion, conversion, and direct HR functions, enhance and implement incentives for staff working in remote areas.
“We shall work to strengthen clinical service delivery at the primary and secondary level by delivering free primary health care from CHIPs to the community level, promote community and facility-based care at the primary level and strengthen facility-based public health services.
“We shall enhance public health emergency preparedness and response, including case management, strengthen surveillance for communicable and non-communicable diseases, harmonise and integrate disease control efforts and optimize available resources.” Prof Akoriyea added.
Mr James Gunu, the Volta Regional Minister said quality healthcare involved the availability of medical services and the delivery of care that was safe, effective, patient-centred, timely, efficient, and equitable.
He emphasised the need to improve the availability of medical supplies, leverage on technology, focus on training of health workforce as well as ensuring adequate infrastructure as prelude to improving quality healthcare indicators.
The Regional Minister noted Networks of Practice (NoPs) remained the fulcrum around delivery of quality healthcare at the community level and helps bridge gaps in healthcare delivery and provide solutions to common challenges.
He was hopeful that insights and recommendations generated from the forum would serve as a catalyst for progress in our collective efforts to deliver quality healthcare to the people of the Volta Region.
“Let us continue working together to strengthen our health system for the benefit of all,” while acknowledging Coordinating Councils continued support to the sector.
Dr Chrysantus Kubio, the outgoing Volta Regional Director of Health announced that through their collective efforts and firm commitment, the Region hhd made significant strides in healthcare delivery.
He said the recent assessment by the Bono East Regional Health Directorate Peer Review Team indicated the region was categorised a ‘moderately performing region’ to a highly performing region in the Holistic Assessment.
Notably, the institutional neonatal mortality rate and stillbirth rate had reduced, according to the data and thanked key actors for their collective efforts in actualizing this feat adding “Your contributions, whether through policy direction, funding, capacity building, or direct service delivery, have been invaluable in shaping the healthcare landscape of our region.”
Prof Lydia Aziato, Vice Chancellor of University of Health and Allied Sciences, who chaired the event accentuated need for deliberate policies to make postings to rural communities attractive and acceptable with fringe benefits.
There were fraternal messages from partners.
GNA
