By Godfred A. Polkuu
Namoo (U/E), Nov. 6, GNA – The Ghana Health Service (GHS) in the Bongo District of the Upper East Region has launched the ‘Network of Practice’ (NoP) initiative at the Namoo and Dua Health Centres to enhance quality health service delivery in the district.
The NoP would complement the Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) concept, as a strategic government initiative implemented by the GHS with support from the World Bank, which aligned with the Service’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030.
Madam Estella Abazesi, the Bongo District Director of the GHS, who launched the NoP at separate events, said, “Bongo District Health Service is proud to announce that Namoo and Dua Health Centres have been selected as the pioneering model health centres for implementing the NoP model in our district.”
She said with the support of the World Bank and other health development partners, the Health Centres were expected to provide quality clinical, preventive, and rehabilitative services to communities within their respective sub-districts.
The Director said the NoP would address and improve various aspects of healthcare delivery, including human resources, staff mix, logistics, equipment, infrastructure, and community engagement.
She said with the effective implementation of the NoP by all relevant stakeholders, “we are building a resilient health system that is well-resourced and prepared to provide high-quality care to all citizens.”
Madam Abazesi noted that the GHS had designated Model Health Centres (MoHCs) as hubs within the NoP framework, saying “These hubs coordinate with other facilities, referred to as ‘spokes,’ which operate at the sub-district level.”
She explained that the hubs, MoHCs were designed to be fully resourced to provide comprehensive services, manage referrals from the ‘spokes’, and monitor the performance of ‘spoke’ facilities, including CHPS compounds, clinics, chemical shops, and traditional healers.
“In the near future, we anticipate that these MoHCs will evolve into mini hospitals, providing enhanced clinical, maternal, neonatal, and child health services, with continued clinical outreach support from the district hospital,” she said.
The Director urged the Community Health Management Committees (CHMCs), community members, and health staff to support the NoP, so that they would leverage it as a tool to achieve UHC for all to receive care at their point of need.
Madam Abazesi further called on government through the District Assembly to prioritize the construction and renovation of health facilities to address the infrastructure gaps to enable them improve access to 24hour service in the district.
“I also appeal to benevolent societies, individuals, and health development partners to support us with logistics, equipment, and the creation of conducive environment to enable the provision of high-quality healthcare services,” she added.
Madam Sadia Alimatu Adamu, the Namoo Sub-district leader, said the NoP would enable healthcare providers across all levels and the community to work in teams, share responsibilities, and improve health outcomes for all.
She stressed the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders, noting that “The success of this initiative will depend on our collective commitment to work together as healthcare providers, local government, community leaders, and the community members we serve.”
Naba Asampana Abaa Abdala, the Chief of Namoo-Boko, admonished stakeholders in the NoP, including owners of pharmacy shops, over-the-counter medicine sellers, herbalists among others not to keep cases beyond them in their facilities, but immediately refer to healthcare facilities for treatment.
GNA