D-G of Health Service suggests computers for health facilities

Kumasi, October 9, GNA - District Directorates of Health Services have been advised to equip their health facilities with computers to enhance data collection, processing and analysis, to help improve health care delivery in the country.

Professor Agyemang Badu Akosah, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), who gave the advice explained that with the world now a global village information flow should be swift, adding that now that the health insurance was operational in almost every health facility, information flow and processing was likely to be more cumbersome and detailed, which would need computers to handle them. Professor Akosah gave the advice in Kumasi last Thursday at the closing session of a sixteen-week computer training for Health Information Officers or Medical Record Staff drawn from the Ashanti Region.

The training brought together over 48 participants from district hospitals, district Health Administrations and Christian Health Associations of Ghana (CHAG) who were taught Windows 2000, Microsoft word, Excel, Power Point, DIWCAIMS software.

He advised the personnel not to use their computers to watch pornographic films and musicals but use it to enhance health delivery in their operational areas and the nation as a whole. Dr. Kofi Asare, Ashanti Regional Director of Health Service, urged the participants to recognise the important role they play in society and work in harmony with their colleagues.

Mr. Kwame Amankwah Obimpeh, the Ashanti Regional Health Statistician, stated that 38 Districts in the country were currently operating on pilot basis with the DIWCAIMS Software system being used by Agogo Presbyterian and Asante Mampong Government hospitals in Ashanti and that it would be extended to all health facilities in the country if was found to be successful by the end of the year.

He said the medical record department was the centre of all information on health and therefore, urged them to be focused, vigilant and accurate to enable them to always come out with the right data. Mr. Obimpeh also entreated them to analyse any data by themselves to support their planning and decision-making Oct. 08 05