How to resolve AdBlock issue? Ghana Health Service Staff Receive SafeCare Certification to Enhance Healthcare Standards
Wednesday, 04 December 2024 | Ghana
Nineteen staff members of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) have been awarded SafeCare certification after undergoing an intensive training program organized by PharmAccess. This achievement marks a significant step toward institutionalizing quality healthcare delivery across Ghana's public health system, demonstrating the GHS's commitment to addressing systemic gaps that have led to lawsuits for negligence and substandard care.
The training program is part of the SafeCare initiative, a global effort to enhance the quality and safety of healthcare services. Participants were selected through a rigorous process that involved regional nominations, classroom sessions, supervised assessments, and virtual engagements. These newly certified professionals are now equipped to assist healthcare facilities nationwide in assessing their performance, identifying gaps, and implementing targeted improvements.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony in Accra, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, underscored the importance of prioritizing quality healthcare. He emphasized that negligence in quality processes often results in lawsuits, financial penalties, and garnished accounts. "Ghanaians are becoming more aware of their rights, and it’s about time we addressed these issues. The vision of the GHS is to institutionalize the SafeCare system to create a culture of quality and safety within the service," Dr. Kuma-Aboagye stated.
The SafeCare initiative aligns with the GHS's broader goals of integrating quality improvement into daily healthcare delivery. According to Dr. Kuma-Aboagye, every health worker will be trained to work in quality improvement teams, using data-driven and evidence-based methods to continuously enhance care standards.
The selection process for assessors was comprehensive, with regions nominating eligible candidates and submitting representatives for evaluation. Each of the ten participating regions selected three districts, from which four assessors were proposed. Two finalists were then shortlisted to represent each region. The training included a week of classroom sessions, supervised on-site assessments, and virtual follow-ups.
Dr. Nicole Spieker, CEO of PharmAccess and founder of SafeCare, commended the GHS for its commitment to quality improvement. Highlighting global healthcare challenges, she noted, "Every year, five million people die due to poor-quality healthcare, and three million die because of lack of access. Quality improvement is not just about infrastructure—it’s about leadership, attitude, and investment." She praised Ghana's efforts, stating that the country is setting an example for others in Africa on the journey toward universal health coverage.
The newly certified assessors expressed their readiness to apply their skills to improve healthcare standards. One of the assessors remarked, "We acknowledge the intensity of the training and pledge to diligently serve in our roles as facilitators and mentors to enhance healthcare quality."
PharmAccess presented a citation to Dr. Kuma-Aboagye, recognizing his leadership in driving quality healthcare. The SafeCare initiative is set to expand nationwide, with plans to include the remaining six regions in the future. This milestone highlights the GHS's renewed commitment to prioritizing safety, accountability, and transformative healthcare delivery.
The training program is part of the SafeCare initiative, a global effort to enhance the quality and safety of healthcare services. Participants were selected through a rigorous process that involved regional nominations, classroom sessions, supervised assessments, and virtual engagements. These newly certified professionals are now equipped to assist healthcare facilities nationwide in assessing their performance, identifying gaps, and implementing targeted improvements.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony in Accra, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, underscored the importance of prioritizing quality healthcare. He emphasized that negligence in quality processes often results in lawsuits, financial penalties, and garnished accounts. "Ghanaians are becoming more aware of their rights, and it’s about time we addressed these issues. The vision of the GHS is to institutionalize the SafeCare system to create a culture of quality and safety within the service," Dr. Kuma-Aboagye stated.
The SafeCare initiative aligns with the GHS's broader goals of integrating quality improvement into daily healthcare delivery. According to Dr. Kuma-Aboagye, every health worker will be trained to work in quality improvement teams, using data-driven and evidence-based methods to continuously enhance care standards.
The selection process for assessors was comprehensive, with regions nominating eligible candidates and submitting representatives for evaluation. Each of the ten participating regions selected three districts, from which four assessors were proposed. Two finalists were then shortlisted to represent each region. The training included a week of classroom sessions, supervised on-site assessments, and virtual follow-ups.
Dr. Nicole Spieker, CEO of PharmAccess and founder of SafeCare, commended the GHS for its commitment to quality improvement. Highlighting global healthcare challenges, she noted, "Every year, five million people die due to poor-quality healthcare, and three million die because of lack of access. Quality improvement is not just about infrastructure—it’s about leadership, attitude, and investment." She praised Ghana's efforts, stating that the country is setting an example for others in Africa on the journey toward universal health coverage.
The newly certified assessors expressed their readiness to apply their skills to improve healthcare standards. One of the assessors remarked, "We acknowledge the intensity of the training and pledge to diligently serve in our roles as facilitators and mentors to enhance healthcare quality."
PharmAccess presented a citation to Dr. Kuma-Aboagye, recognizing his leadership in driving quality healthcare. The SafeCare initiative is set to expand nationwide, with plans to include the remaining six regions in the future. This milestone highlights the GHS's renewed commitment to prioritizing safety, accountability, and transformative healthcare delivery.