Reflections in the mirror ; Records keeping in Ghana’s Health Sector

Imagine that each time you go to work you are given a form to fill in your personal data; or you were just told by your supervisor that your name was omitted on a list so you cannot receive a bonus you are entitled to. Imagine being given a certificate with your name mixed up, wrongly spelt or bearing another name. 

How would you feel if your doctor tells you, “I am sorry, I just treated you for the problem the previous client presented with?” How about amputating a client’s left leg instead of the right that had a problem? 

Do these questions strike a chord?  These scenarios are all about records keeping. Poor records keeping can lead to serious consequences, particularly if it has to do with health.

Health information (records) are tangible or digital information that act as proof of existence.  They are data for official use. Records give valuable information and can be used for legal, teaching and historical among other purposes.

The major uses of