WR Minister urges Ghana Health Service to improve customer service and healthcare delivery – Skyy Power FM

The Western Regional Minister, Dr Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah is urging Ghana Health Service (GHS) to improve customer service in various hospitals and up their game in health care delivery.

Speaking at the 2022 Annual Performance Review of the Western Region in Takoradi on Tuesday, March 28, under the theme “Accountability, a key to achieving quality health care,” the minister said the health sector has been faced with public criticism ranging from hostile reception of clients, poor provider-patient communication and illegal collection of fees.

The Minister said he believes it is now time for the health sector to give patients a hospitable experience that can be experienced in advanced countries.

He said, “The poor customer service in the health sector ranges from hostile reception of clients and their relatives, poor provider-patient communication and illegal collection of fees… You know this illegal collection of fees is a major headache for us especially when there is National Health Insurance, people complain that the drugs are there but they don’t want to supply them to them or pay monies without being given receipts.”

Dr Okyere Darko said the government has also shown a considerable sense of accountability in the provision of health infrastructure and commodities in the Western Region in recent years.

He said the government has kept faith with the people by initiating much-needed health infrastructure and mobilising resources to complete ongoing projects.

The Minister said, “In this era of very challenging economic circumstances, the government has kept faith in the people by initiating several much-needed health infrastructures… the completion of Five (5) new polyclinics at Mpohor, Tarkwa Nsuaem, Elubo, Waasa Dunkwa and Bogoso, the rehabilitation of Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital and the construction of a new Regional Hospital at Apimenim in the Ahanta West District commenced in the year under review.”

“The ongoing works on numerous agenda 111 hospitals are at various stages of completion and the construction of the CHPS compounds among many others are all clear indicators of government commitment to expanding health care for all people in the Western Region.”

“We will have a minimum of twelve (12) solid hospitals in the Western Region looking at the ongoing projects to support health care in the area,” he added.