Health Ministry commits to strengthen emergency services
The Ministry of Health has expressed its commitment to strengthening emergency and critical care services across the country as part of a broader effort to create a more resilient health system.
The Director, Technical Coordination, of the Ministry of Health, Dr Hafiz Adam Taher, said expanding ICU and high-dependency healing capacity would improve access to oxygen and life support equipment, strengthen emergency referral systems, support specialist nursing education, and promote women's professional development.
He said most requests for the country’s health professionals were in critical care, who work in intensive care units of health facilities.
Dr Taher was speaking at the launch of Critical Care Awareness Month in Accra yesterday on the theme: "Beyond the bedside: Courage, care and compassion.” It was organised by the Critical Care Nurses Society, Ghana (CCNSG).
Activities lined up for the celebration include public lectures, community engagements and health education.
Relevance
Dr Taher stressed the importance of critical nurses, saying, "We honour your courage and compassion.
As we commemorate the awareness month, let us commit ourselves to building a stronger and more equitable, more compassionate, and more resilient critical care system for the country.
“Let us serve beyond duty with compassion. Let us ensure that every Ghanaian who needs critical care can get access to safe and dignified care,” he added.
Concerns
The First Vice-President of GRNMA, Samuel Akolgo Alagkora, entreated citizens to exercise moderation in suing health facilities.
He expressed concern that there were several legal cases against hospitals across the country for alleged negligence of duty.
Mr Alagkora said that the nation’s health system was not the best as they suffer from staff shortage and lack of critical equipment, among other issues.
"If you go to the rural areas, work that should be done by a professional is handled by other professionals, and mostly it is nurses,” he said.
Commendation
The Chairperson of CCNSG, Dr Anita Ohenewa Yawson, commended ICU nurses for their unwavering commitment to excellence and for being advocates for the future, pillars for families and a brighter future of the country's healthcare system.
“Every day and every night, ICU nurses stand at the bedside of a critically ill patient, we witness the end, uncertainty, pain and sometimes loss.
“Yet, in those moments, ICU nurses will give some form of hope, strength, comfort and healing. Many people who have seen the sacrifices of ICU nurses may not see the long hours, the emotional burden and the sleepless nights, or the courage to take care of their critically ill patients with their vulnerable moments,” she said.
Other speakers included the Director, Medical Training and Simulation Centre at the UGMC, Dr Christian Owoo, and the Principal of the School of Peri-Operative and Critical Care Nursing, Korle Bu, Faustina Excel Adipa.
