By Godfred Aaneamenga Polkuu, GNA
Bolgatanga, Feb. 27, GNA – Dr Braimah Baba Abubakari, the Upper East Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has pleaded for Regional and District Health Directorates to be exempted from paying electricity bills.
He noted that although these directorates did not generate internal funds, their respective management teams were burdened by high electricity bills and other administrative costs.
Dr Abubakari made the plea during a staff durbar at the Regional Hospital, organised at the instance of Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister of Health, who was on a working visit to the region to observe the realities of health service delivery, assess the recent posting of doctors first-hand, and to interact with healthcare professionals.
“We are appealing to you to liaise with the Ministry of Energy to include Health Directorates among the areas exempt from electricity bill payments. These are non-IGF (Internally Generated Fund) generating areas, yet we are paying high electricity bills alongside other administrative costs,” Dr Abubakari stated.
He highlighted the financial strain on the Directorates noting that, “At the Regional Health Directorate, for instance, we use a prepaid metre and spend between GH¢16,000 and GH¢25,000 every month on credit.”
The Director expressed concern regarding the high level of indebtedness to the Regional Medical Store (RMS) and explained that legacy debts were recently exacerbated by disruptions to the Lightwave Health Information Management System (LHIMS).
He noted that while the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) was making payments for the period the LHIMS was disrupted, Hospitals which typically pay more to settle RMS debts were facing a “serious challenge”.
Dr Abubakari said despite these hurdles, management initiated strategies to ensure continuous quality service delivery, including reposting of critical staff to address the mal-distribution of personnel and that as part of the strategies, some District Directors were reshuffled to ensure smooth operations in conflict-prone areas.
“We also have regional and specialist participation in our maternal mortality audits, which adds quality to the process,” he added, and further mentioned that Regional Health Management Teams meet quarterly to review activities and to strategize for better service delivery.
Dr Abubakari said to address the RMS indebtedness, management organized debt collection meetings with various managers and accountants, which improved the availability of commodities.
“We try to procure non-drug consumables, particularly for the Health Centres. Because the hospitals are large, we do not currently have the financial muscle to provide for them, so the Health Centres remain our priority for now,” he said.
Mr Akandoh acknowledged the challenges within the sector, stating that he had taken note of the issues and would work towards resolving them.
“Leadership is about solving problems; I do not believe in lamentation. Whenever I speak about a problem, it means I am working on a solution. The truth is that we face many challenges in the health sector, but we will do our best,” the Minister said.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/Linda Asante Agyei