By Savannah Pokuaah Duah
The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has conducted unannounced visits to the Achimota and Ga North Municipal Hospitals to assess healthcare delivery and identify areas requiring urgent improvement.
During the visits, the Minister inspected critical departments, interacted with patients and staff, and noted several concerns that need to be addressed.
At the Achimota Municipal Hospital, patients and staff expressed concerns about delays in service, long queues, and limited personnel. The Minister observed that Room 7 of the Medical OPD was vacant due to staffing shortages, with three staff members on leave and one unwell. “It is going to be hard to deliver quality healthcare with these gaps,” he said. The situation highlights the need for adequate staffing.
At the Ga North Municipal Hospital, staff highlighted persistent issues such as malfunctioning medical equipment, including a broken anaesthesia machine, and frequent network downtimes that disrupt service delivery. Concerns were also raised about co-payments under the NHIS and the outdated condition of most medical tools. “We need support to replace obsolete equipment and improve our services,” a staff member appealed.
Speaking to the media after the visits, Minister Akandoh acknowledged the systemic gaps and stressed the need for stronger supervision, adequate staffing, and equipment upgrades. “We are committed to resetting healthcare operations to improve patient experience and service outcomes,” he said.
The Minister’s visits demonstrate the Ministry’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery in Ghana. By identifying areas for improvement and working to address them, the Ministry can ensure that patients receive quality care and that healthcare workers have the resources they need to deliver it.
