By Seraphine Nyuiemedi
In a bid to bring quality healthcare closer to Ghanaians, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) is implementing an initiative to enhance local healthcare delivery through a “network of practice” policy. This approach is designed to empower health facilities at the sub-district level to manage cases more effectively, reducing unnecessary referrals to district hospitals and bringing vital services closer to the community.
The Deputy Director at the Policy Department of the Policy Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Andrews Ayim explained that Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) outlets were originally established to bridge the gap between healthcare providers and communities. However, he highlighted that many clients still face challenges due to limited services and the need to travel long distances to access comprehensive care at hospitals. He was speaking at a Ghana Community Scorecard training workshop for journalist in Accra.
“With the demand for healthcare on the rise, quality needs to be accessible at the local level,” Dr. Ayim noted. He added that by networking all sub-district facilities and developing health centers into model centers, patients will have improved access to essential services closer to home. “This system allows cases to be filtered, so only the most complex ones go to district hospitals, helping to reduce overcrowding and improve the quality of care at these facilities.”
One significant benefit of this initiative is for elderly patients with chronic illnesses, such as hypertension. Dr. Ayim said many patients currently have to travel to district hospitals for routine medication refills, which can be a barrier to consistent treatment. With the new network, local health centers would support CHPS compounds, allowing patients to refill prescriptions without making extensive trips, thereby reducing risks of complications, such as strokes, which often occur when medications are missed due to travel constraints.
Another aspect of the initiative is resource sharing among facilities within the network. This would mean that, even with limited specialist resources, communities could benefit from available expertise across facilities, making quality healthcare more accessible.
Dr. Ayim also stressed the importance of media in fostering community engagement with these health initiatives. He encouraged journalists to report objectively on community health issues, specifically addressing any gaps or misinformation between communities and health facilities. He noted that journalists play a critical role in promoting understanding, as they can highlight both community expectations and the realities within health facilities.
“We believe balanced reporting can bridge gaps between communities and the health system, contributing to better health outcomes nationwide,” he said.
The workshop was organized by the African Media and Malaria Research Network (AMMREN) in partnership with the Ghana Health Service, Ministry of Health, ALMA and Expertise France. It was themed: “Effective Use of the Media to Scale Up Universal Health Coverage”.