Healthcare providers must prioritise professional development through regular training and enhanced communication skills.
This will enable them to be updated on medical advancements, master new technologies and refine patient interaction techniques.
The World Health Organisation Country Representative, Dr Frank Lule, made the call at the launch of the national quality forum in Accra last Wednesday.
The forum, themed “Ghana Healthcare Quality Strategy: Efforts Towards a Sustainable System for UHC 2030,” brought together stakeholders to discuss the country’s healthcare quality strategy.
Dr Lule noted that quality healthcare extends beyond treating illnesses.
“It includes preventing diseases, promoting healthcare, addressing social determinants of health and providing compassionate, culturally competent care to patients,” he stated.
He stressed the importance of prioritising quality in healthcare delivery to create a system that serves all individuals effectively, adding that “focusing on quality, we can build a healthcare system that is efficient and equitable for everyone, regardless of their background.”
The WHO representative called on health workers and development partners to offer technical and financial support through capacity building and health system strengthening and encouraged patients to be proactive in demanding quality service.
The Deputy Minister for Health, Mr Alexander Akwesi Acquah, noted that the theme reflects the ministry’s commitment to improving healthcare quality.
He mentioned that an evaluation of the initial strategy had been conducted with support from development partners, identifying both achievements and challenges.
The forum, organised by the Ministry of Health, aimed to assess progress since the launch of the first national healthcare quality strategy in 2016. It also sought to chart the way forward with a revised National Health Quality Strategy for 2024-2030.
Priscilla Osei-Wusu Nimako, ISD