SEND Ghana schools community officers and midwives on respectable health care

Madam Olivia Achuliba, DDNS (Public Health ) U/E RHD

The attitude of some health service providers towards clients is said to be retrogressing despite several interventions to effect a change. Most often, some professional nurses and midwives exercise gross disrespect to clients in the discharge of their duties. Patients are sometimes subjected to insults and other violations without employing a right base approach in dealing with clients, particularly pregnant women and the aged. The attitude of some of these health service providers is said to be having serious repercussions on health service delivery. This unfortunate development moreover remains a major public concern and a serious challenge to quality health care. As enshrined in the patient charter under the Ghana Health Services, patients have the right to quality health. Undoubtedly, patient’s dignity and interest is paramount and must be respected at all times. As a way forward in dealing with the challenge, SEND Ghana, a research and advocacy organization has engaged community health officers and midwives on respectable healthcare in Bolgatanga. In attendance were officials from the Ghana Health Service including some trainee and professional midwives across the region.  The Deputy Director of Nursing Services at the Regional Health Directorate, Madam Olivia Achuliba, said the attitude of some health staff continues to pose a major challenge to achieving the Millennium Development Goals as most clients have resort to self medication. For him, much is expected from health care providers since their actions and in-actions affect clients, thereby worsening their predicaments. She said the unruly behaviour of health staff coupled with the violation of patients rights tend to defeat the purpose of their noble profession as caregivers, hence the need for attitudinal change.  Madam Achuliba therefore asked service providers to use basic principles of non-discrimination and respect for human rights. The Programmes Officer of SEND Ghana, Rachel Gyabaah, told Radio Ghana that the engagement process has become necessary especially in the light of the alarming rate of human rights violation and abuses in health facilities in the country. He tasked health professionals particularly nurses and midwives to show love, care and passion to their clients. Participants at an open forum urged the Ghana Health Service to channel its attention on building the capacity of health professionals on customer care and its impact on clients. GBC                                                                    END                                                                                   IA/