Health Services administrators urged to find innovative ways to raise revenue
The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, has charged health service administrators to find innovative ways to mobilise funds internally to help expand enhanced service delivery.
He stressed that internal resources mobilisation had become indispensable for improved healthcare delivery as reliance solely on the central government, donor support and development partners to fund health facilities was neither sustainable nor typically prudent for the growing demand of the health sector.
The director-general made the remarks in a speech read on his behalf by the Director of Health Administration and Support Services (HASS) Division of the GHS, Dr Ebo Hammond, at the opening of the 48th annual conference of the Association of Health Service Administrators of Ghana (AHSAG) in Cape Coast last Wednesday.
The conference is on the theme: "Optimising internal resources mobilisation for infrastructure and equipment management; the position of the health service administrator".
About 300 health service administrators from across the country are participating.
Optimise resources
Dr Akoriyea stated that in an era of growing demand for infrastructure, advanced technological innovation, evolution of medical equipment and high cost of maintenance, it had become increasingly clear that external funding alone could not sustain quality healthcare delivery.
He said health facilities and their administrators must be encouraged to ensure the efficient use of limited funds, empowered to sustain, upgrade and optimise equipment use while ensuring ownership, accountability and resilience.
Build efficient systems
The GHS Director-General also urged health sector administrators to build systems that unlocked revenue potentials, enforced cost recovery models and ensured the efficient use of internally generated funds in strategic investment infrastructure and equipment.
Additionally, he called for a strong maintenance culture and the prevention of waste by employing strategic policy thinking, exceptional administrative leadership to drive change and mobilise resources.
Accountability
The President of AHSAG, Rev. Ezekiel Amadu Daribi, stressed the importance of accountability and continuity in the association's stride.
He said that through engagement, collaboration and advocacy, many of the hospitals had implemented the hospital administrators' position.
It was important for those occupying the position to be loyal, disciplined to embrace the principles of transparency, patient-centred values and strategic communication skills to shape the future of the healthcare systems.
Touching on galamsey, he called for an immediate total ban on small-scale mining operations, being legal or illegal in the country.
He said the adverse impact of galamsey on the health, water bodies and ecosystem was enormous.
"We must remain steadfast in our mission to provide quality care, optimise resources and uphold the highest standards of ethical and compassionate service," he added.
Promoting efficiency
The Central Regional Minister, Ekow Panyin Eduamoah Okyere, for his part, advised the administrators not to abuse commitment for internally generated revenue by overcharging clients, urging them to adopt high ethical standards and transparency in their efforts to generate revenue internally.
Also in her address, the Central Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Alberta Adjabeng Britwum Nyarko, urged hospital administrators to help stop all leakages and ensure efficiency in operations.
She called for integrity and accountability to ensure fiscal sustainability and financial excellence.
The Paramount Chief of the Oguaa Traditional area, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, in an address read on his behalf, advised the administrators to work as excellent stewards, planners and strategists committed to practicable, scalable healthcare solutions to improve the healthcare systems.
