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Story by, Paul Mensah Nsor
In a comprehensive press conference in Accra, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, Ghana's Minister for Health, outlined key strategies for improving the nation's healthcare system while strongly condemning recent incidents of violence against medical professionals.
The Minister highlighted several critical initiatives, including:
1. Healthcare Delivery Improvements
- Implementation of Mahama Cares program
- Free primary healthcare expansion
- Prompt payment of national health insurance claims
- Procurement of medical equipment, including cervical cancer screening tools
2. Healthcare Professional Employment
- Developing strategies to employ graduates currently unemployed
- Exploring opportunities to make Ghanaian health professionals more competitive globally
- Establishing specialist training programs
- Constituting committees to address employment challenges
3. Ridge Hospital Incident Response
Hon. Akandoh directly addressed the recent incident at Ridge Hospital, emphasizing zero tolerance for violence against healthcare workers. He stressed that "irrespective of the level of provocation, nobody has the right to attack any health professional in this country."
The Minister announced the formation of a special investigative committee comprising legal, medical, and human resources experts to examine the incident thoroughly. He committed to receiving the committee's report within one week.
4. Medical Negligence Concerns
Akandoh acknowledged the significant financial burden of medical negligence cases, revealing that the government spends millions of Ghana cedis annually addressing such claims. He described medical negligence as a "monster" that requires comprehensive and appropriate handling.
5. Patient Complaint Mechanisms
To improve patient experience and reduce tensions, the Ministry has:
- Established complaint hotlines
- Mandated suggestion boxes in all health facilities
- Encouraged formal complaint procedures instead of physical confrontations
The press conference underscored the government's commitment to transforming Ghana's healthcare system, prioritizing both healthcare worker safety and patient care quality.
The Minister concluded by urging national cooperation and emphasizing that diversionary tactics would not derail the government's healthcare improvement agenda.