The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has directed all public teaching hospitals across the country to immediately begin operating their Out-Patient Departments (OPDs), laboratories and diagnostic centres on a 24-hour basis.

The directive is in line with the President’s 24-hour health service policy, which seeks to expand access to healthcare and improve responsiveness to patient needs nationwide.

Mr Akandoh issued the instruction during an ongoing sector-wide health management retreat that has brought together leaders and heads of agencies within the health sector to review performance and plan for the future.

“All teaching hospitals must urgently begin operating 24-hour OPD and laboratory services in line with the President’s 24-hour health service policy,” the Minister stated, urging institutions to move swiftly from planning to implementation.

He emphasised that effective delivery of government policy requires coordinated action across institutions, adding that health facilities must respond more directly to the needs of the public by expanding access to essential services.

According to the Minister, government’s health sector priorities focus on critical reforms and targeted interventions aimed at improving access, strengthening coordination and enhancing service delivery nationwide. Aligning institutional objectives, budgets and operational plans with these priorities, he noted, is key to meeting public expectations.