By Emmanuel Mensah-Abludo
The Upper West Regional Hospital has honoured 53 staff of the facility at its 2024 annual staff awards ceremony in Wa.
The event themed “Recognising and Celebrating Our hardworking Staff” saw Deputy Chief Anaesthetist, Michael Ziem emerging as the most outstanding worker for the period under review. Mr Ziem received a motorbike as his prize, whilst Habib Ahmed Chindo got a deep freezer for taking the first runner-up position, with Madam Salifu Umuheira taking home a 43-inch flat-screen TV as her prize for securing the second runner-up position.
Among the officials at the awards ceremony were the Upper West Regional Director of Health, Dr Damien Punguyire; the Sunche Naa, Naa Osman Daudi, who represented the Wa Naa, Naa Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo; the Chairman of the Regional Health Committee, Alhaji Hassan Issaka; and Madam Genevieve Yiripare, who chaired the function.
The Chief Director of the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council, Pognaa Hajia Fati Koray, who graced the occasion, commended the staff of the Regional Hospital for their dedication to duty and described them as ambassadors of hope and compassion.
She also praised the management of the Hospital for their leadership role. Pognaa Fati Koray said she had witnessed the daily challenges of the staff of the hospital, saying she was impressed by their resilience and professionalism.
A Deputy Director of Administration at the Regional Health Directorate, Prosper Lana commended all stakeholders, including chiefs and suppliers, for their collaborative efforts towards health delivery. Mr Lana observed that Upper West was fortunate to have the Regional Hospital commissioned as the first of the eight Euroget Hospitals, saying it has been the best-managed hospital among its peers.
He entreated the staff of the hospital to continue to work hard so that when the time comes for assessment of the facility for upgrading into a Teaching Hospital, it will be a smooth process.
The Medical Director of the Regional Hospital, Dr Robert Amesiya, stated that the biggest challenge of the Hospital is power fluctuation, which is not good for the safety of their equipment, and appealed for a dedicated power line for the facility to safeguard the equipment.
The Chairman of the 2024 Regional Hospital Health Awards Committee and Deputy Chief Nursing Officer (DCNO), Alex Baniyeni, stated that the Committee started work in October 2024 with all the 857 staff of the Hospital having equal rights to winning an award by adopting a process that ensured fairness across board.
He added that as part of the process, the Committee briefed the staff about selection criteria. Mr Baniyeni stated that the rating process indicators were punctuality, discipline, attitude to work, innovation, teamwork, job knowledge & skills, dedication to work, and relation to staff & clients.
The overall winner, Mr Ziem, expressed appreciation to his family, colleagues, and all those who played a part towards the winning of the top award.
