Ghana Health Service chief tours Volta Region

Hohoe, July 22, GNA - Dr Elias Sory, Director-General of Ghana Health Service (GHS), has said the service would soon issue a directive on the use of internally generated fund (IGF) by health institutions in line with its strategic plans for greater transparency, efficiency and value for money.

He therefore appealed to health professionals to make the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to succeed since it has the potential of making a positive impact on health infrastructure. Dr Sory said this at a staff durbar in Hohoe as part of his four-day tour of health facilities in the Volta Region. He said the IGF was becoming a major source of health financing that needed to be harnessed for efficiency. Dr Sory said his administration was committed to establishing more health institutions of higher learning and training as a measure towards guaranteeing health for all.

He said priority would be given to research and would establish a Medical Assistant Training School which might be sited in the region. Dr MacDamien Dedzo, Volta Regional Director of GHS, urged health workers to harmonize all potentials available to them and upgrade themselves for the utmost provision of quality healthcare delivery. Dr Edwin Danoo, Medical Superintendent of Hohoe Municipal Hospital, said the 50-year hospital has not benefited from any major rehabilitation works.

He said infrastructure is in bad shape with leaking roofs, making minor repairs ineffective. He said human resource base of the hospital was inadequate and urgently needs an administration block for effective coordination and reconstruction of access roads. Dr Danoo said some successes were chalked with the judicious application of its internally generated fund including the purchase of a pick-up, construction of a morgue, laboratory, blood bank and conversion of an old laundry into emergency ward. He said its fencing project was on course and intends to construct a modern pharmacy, walk-ways and rehabilitate the maternity wards and called for assistance. 22 July 09