By Mohammed Balu
Gwollu, (UWR), April 30, GNA – The Gwollu Hospital has been adjudged the best health facility in the Upper West Region for three consecutive years.
Dr Mathias Tengan, the Sissala West District Director of Health Services who announced this in an interview with the GNA said the district had been awarded the title of the best health facility after a thorough assessment conducted over the past three years.
“In both 2022 and 2023, similar evaluations took place, and the district achieved first place in the UWR for the 2024 assessment. This award is the only category available for all the 11 districts in the region,” he said.
Dr Tengan explained that the assessment process evaluates three key health objectives that encompass all aspects of an effective and efficient health system for a region or district. He said when the scores from the assessments across the region were compiled, Sissala West District emerged as the top performer.
He further explained that the three objective areas assessed included a total of multiple indicators – universal access to better and efficiently managed quality healthcare services for (40 indicators), reducing avoidable maternal, adolescent, and child deaths and disabilities (19 indicators), and increasing access to responsive clinical and public health emergency services (34 indicators).
It is based on objective criteria developed by the Ghana Health Service to improve the healthcare sector through targeted leadership and managerial interventions.
Dr Tengan expressed gratitude to the Regional Health Directorate for the recognition and thanked all including health partners, health workers, the Member of Parliament, the District Assembly, chiefs, assembly members, health committees, health volunteers, and community members for their tireless efforts and contributions throughout the journey.
Dr Tengan acknowledged that achieving this milestone had been challenging and expressed concern that the district faces deprivation, as many health workers decline postings to the area.
According to him those who do report, many are continually seeking transfers to other locations, which results in a shortage of personnel to manage the 56 health facilities distributed throughout the district, placing additional pressure on existing staff.
He, however, noted that with management support, guidance and a focus on discipline, the current positive performance could not have been realized.
He also complained about the unavailability of a District Health Directorate Office Complex to house the many units required in a district.
“There are limited vaccine fridges for cold management of vaccines at the peripheral facilities with transportation challenge all impeding the work of the district.
“No roadworthy vehicle for the district health office or the district for monitoring and supervision and carting of logistics,” he said.
The Gwollu hospital is among the districts with challenges of inadequate infrastructure, limited equipment but is benefiting from the Agenda 111 hospitals project but work is yet to get to the lintel level.
GNA
CAE/BM