By Jibril Abdul Mumuni
Accra, Oct. 27, GNA – Stakeholders in Ghana’s health sector have raised concerns about stigma and discrimination against key populations in some health facilities, warning that the situation is discouraging many from seeking essential healthcare services.
They said negative provider attitudes, fear of judgement, breaches of confidentiality and mistrust of health institutions were contributing to a decline in healthcare-seeking behaviour among affected groups.
The concerns were expressed at a one-day stakeholder engagement on non-discriminatory healthcare for key populations held in Accra. The event brought together health professionals, counsellors, civil society representatives and public health experts.
Key populations are groups that, because of specific higher-risk behaviours, are disproportionately affected by HIV and face increased barriers in accessing health services.
According to Ghana’s public health and HIV response framework, they include female sex workers, people who inject drugs and people in prisons and other closed settings.
The engagement was organised against the backdrop of evidence indicating that key populations continue to face barriers in accessing healthcare despite efforts to improve service delivery.
Ms. Modupe Anorkplim Nukunu, Executive Director of the Human Rights Advocacy Centre, said some individuals feared being misidentified, labelled or exposed if they sought care, creating a climate of anxiety that undermined trust in healthcare institutions.
She also linked declining attendance at health facilities to fear and uncertainty surrounding ongoing public discourse on issues affecting key populations.
She noted that some health workers lacked adequate understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable populations and often responded in ways that discouraged patients from returning.
“It is about how we treat each other in the healthcare space. Some professionals still do not understand the issues, and their reactions turn patients away,” she said.
According to her, the implications extend beyond individual experiences and could affect public health surveillance and disease control efforts.
She observed that declining attendance at health facilities among key populations was becoming a growing concern, particularly in relation to HIV, tuberculosis and other conditions requiring early detection and treatment.
Ms. Precious Amevor, a public health practitioner and general nurse, said discussions during the engagement highlighted evidence of stigma and discrimination within healthcare settings.
She said participants reviewed research findings and reports from community organisations that pointed to concerns over provider attitudes, disclosure of personal information and lack of trust between patients and health workers.
“The biggest issue is that services may be geographically accessible, but people may not consider them safe and respectful enough to use,” Ms. Amevor stated.
She explained that friendliness alone did not necessarily translate into stigma-free healthcare and stressed that every client deserved respectful treatment regardless of social and economic background.
She called for continuous training of health professionals on ethics, confidentiality, privacy, dignity and non-discrimination, while urging health authorities to strengthen efforts to create welcoming and respectful healthcare environments.
GNA
Reporter : Jibril Abdul Mumuni
Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong