The Ghana Health Service out-doored its maiden awards scheme named the Ghana Health Service Excellence Awards last night in Accra. The awards scheme in the words of the Director-General of the Service, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye is “an integral part of our staff welfare and performance management system, designed to recognize and celebrate outstanding performance at both individual and institutional levels”. The awards sought to instill patriotism and professionalism among dedicated health workers as well as to promote a culture of achievement and retain health professionals in deprived areas.
The Director-General remarked that the awards scheme, apart from enhancing customer care and promoting patient satisfaction also aligns with the tenets of the Network of Practice, a GHS flagship programe that strives to maximize performance in the pursuit of Universal Health Coverage. He revealed that the awards scheme became urgent during the wake of the covid-19 pandemic where our health workers emerged as unsung heroes with their unwavering commitment and resilience despite challenging circumstances.
Dr Kuma-Aboagye explained that the awards were structured at three levels: District, Regional and National, where winners at the district and regional levels moved respectively to compete at the national level for the grand awards. He disclosed that an entirety of 1779 honors were distributed across district, regional and national levels which cut across all levels of healthcare as well as all categories of health staff. The ceremony saw dignitaries like the Deputy Minister for health, Hon. Tina Mensah, and the First Lady of the Republic of Ghana, Her Excellency Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo who was the special guest of honor.
The First Lady commended health care workers for their commitment and dedication especially throughout the covid 19 period and reiterated the need to recognize their hard work and acknowledge their efforts through the awards scheme.A total of 66 facilities and individuals were awarded at the event. The awards comprised 18 General Staff Awards, 14 Leadership Excellence Awards, 18 Institutional Awards, 15 Special Awards dedicated to development partners and Organizations that have contributed to healthcare delivery in the country, and 1 Overall National Award.
The Ceremony ended with Ms Egbeegbe Anagbonu, a Senior Midwifery Officer at the Tokurano Health Center in the Krachi East District of the Oti Region emerging as the overall best worker for the year 2023.
SOURCE: PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT, GHS