Ho:The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has called on Medical Superintendents to serve as a beacon of hope for citizens, emphasizing the importance of leadership at all levels to ensure the success of free primary healthcare.
According to Ghana Web, Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea addressed the 24th Annual General and Scientific Conference of the Medical Superintendents Group, highlighting that while President John Mahama cannot be present everywhere, the roles of ministers, directors, and medical superintendents are crucial in providing leadership that instills hope within communities.
Dr. Akoriyea recounted the story of 87-year-old Benjamin Kuri from a village near Wa, who had not visited a hospital for 54 years due to barriers such as distance and cost, until he was recently discovered in a state of double disability. This story underlined the importance of accessible healthcare, a key component of the government's free primary healthcare initiative.
Currently, 135 districts are implementing the program, with 3,774 CHPS zones active, over 2.5 million clients registered, and more than 800,000 home visits conducted. Dr. Akoriyea cautioned that referrals could lead to overcrowding at hospitals and announced the introduction of a patient navigator system to manage this challenge.
He urged against the hoarding of medical equipment and drugs, advocating instead for the sharing of resources between facilities to better serve the Ghanaian public. He encouraged medical leaders to leave a lasting legacy by adapting to changing times and improving their services.
Prof. Lydia Aziato, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences, shared her personal experiences of inadequate healthcare services, pointing out the disparities in service quality across regions and urging leaders to improve their efforts.
Dr. Gina Teddy, representing the GHS Council, reiterated the necessity of leadership for successful policy implementation, stressing that while the government can establish healthcare policies, their success ultimately depends on the actions of healthcare leaders. The conference, running from October 5 to 10, focuses on "Leadership and Innovation in Free Primary Healthcare towards Achieving Universal Health Coverage in Ghana The Role of Medical Superintendents."