By Godfred Aaneamenga Polkuu
Bolgatanga, March 27, GNA – Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has urged healthcare management teams nationwide to strengthen patient grievance redress mechanisms and implement practical measures to enhance client satisfaction.
“I urge all regions to strengthen patient grievance redress mechanisms and implement practical measures to promote client satisfaction,” Dr. Akoriyea stated. He emphasized supporting persons living with disabilities and fostering positive community relations, noting, “By addressing concerns proactively, we can avoid unnecessary public controversies and maintain public trust in our facilities.”
His remarks were delivered on his behalf during the opening of the 2025 Annual Performance Review meeting of the Upper East Region, held under the theme: “Strengthening health systems for sustainable and equitable access to quality healthcare: the role of monitoring and supportive supervision.”
To ensure effective operations in 2026, Dr. Akoriyea tasked all Regional Directors to assert leadership confidently with full backing from his office. He called on them to maintain discipline, safeguard financial health, and ensure consistent availability of medicines, consumables, and essential logistics.
“Internally Generated Funds must be managed responsibly with deliberate ring-fencing for maintenance and operational sustainability. Keep close watch on underperforming facilities and districts, intensify supportive supervision, and remain visible on the ground through regular monitoring and engagement visits,” he said.
While noting encouraging progress at the national level, the DG urged staff to confront areas with insufficient performance, citing deteriorating trends in institutional maternal mortality, skilled delivery coverage, non-communicable disease mortalities, family planning acceptor rates, and Penta-3 coverage. “These indicators represent real lives and family realities and demand renewed focus, innovation, and strengthened supervision at all levels. Our reviews must be honest, evidence-driven, and solution-oriented,” he added.
Dr. Akoriyea assured Dr. Braimah Baba Abubakari, Upper East Regional Director, and his team that, with the support of the GHS Council, they would continue engaging the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to address systemic service delivery challenges, including staffing and funding constraints. “We remain committed to creating an enabling environment that allows you to perform your duties effectively. Let us continue to serve with integrity, lead with purpose, and work together to improve the health and well-being of every Ghanaian,” he said.
Mr. Donatus Akamugri Atanga, Upper East Regional Minister and Guest of Honour, highlighted the government’s commitment to fully rolling out the Free Primary Health Care Programme to eliminate financial barriers at the primary level. “This initiative will be complemented by intensified prevention, early screening, and health promotion, particularly in response to the rising burden of non-communicable diseases,” he said.
Touching on doctor retention, Mr. Atanga noted deliberate measures to improve conditions for medical personnel in underserved areas. “Doctors who accept postings to underserved areas will receive targeted support to make living and working conditions more conducive,” he said, adding that these interventions aim to strengthen healthcare delivery at the district level.
He commended the Regional Health Directorate and all health workers for their dedication and resilience, often under challenging conditions. “Your commitment continues to make a profound difference in the lives of our people,” he added.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali /Audrey Dekalu