The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, has called for stronger collaboration between the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) and the GHS to enhance healthcare delivery across the country.
He made the call during a working visit to Bator Catholic Hospital in the Volta Region, where he commended the management and staff for their dedicated service to the community.
The Director-General placed Bator Catholic Hospital on a high pedestal for its outstanding work in cervical cancer care. He particularly lauded Dr. Effah, a staff member of the hospital, for establishing a world-class cervical cancer treatment centre that trains health workers to diagnose and treat the disease in women.
Dr. Akoriyea noted that his visit was to observe the exemplary work being done at the facility, especially in cervical cancer care, and to explore collaboration that would improve service delivery across the Volta Region and the entire country.
“My job is to look out for people who set examples and go to them, not to wait for them to come to me,” he stated.
He further tasked Programme Managers for the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) to work collaboratively to ensure that cervical cancer training is extended to other parts of the country.
The visit marked the beginning of a new era of collaboration aimed at achieving seamless health service delivery. Significantly, the Director-General was accompanied by CHAG’s Executive Director, Dr. Peter Yeboah, and Deputy Executive Director, Dr. James Duah, a gesture that underscored the commitment to a stronger institutional partnership.
Discussions during the visit also focused on:
- The implications of the government’s Free Primary Healthcare initiative on service delivery
- The Mahama Care programme for Non-Communicable Diseases
- The implementation of the 24-hour health service delivery
The Director-General emphasized the need to leverage institutional diversity to advance the well-being of Ghanaians, noting that citizens are interested in receiving the highest level of care rather than fragmented services from siloed agencies.
Dr. Peter Yeboah commended the Director-General for fostering a renewed spirit of collaboration under his leadership, describing it as a crucial step toward building a more resilient national health system.
He assured the GHS of CHAG’s readiness to partner in key areas such as Free Primary Healthcare and Mahama Care to improve access and health outcomes nationwide.
Directive on Professional Standards
In a related development, Dr. Akoriyea has directed all health workers in health facilities to wear their uniforms and name tags at all times. He explained that this measure is intended to enhance professionalism and ensure the safety of both staff and patients.