Visible name tags for health staff non-negotiable – Health Minister

The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has declared that the wearing of visible name tags by all health professionals on duty is non-negotiable, describing proper identification as a crucial step towards strengthening patient safety and accountability across the sector.

The directive follows the February 17 baby theft incident at Mamprobi Polyclinic. The Minister described the incident as unacceptable and preventable, assuring the public that concrete measures are being implemented to avert any recurrence.

He called for strict compliance with protocols of the Ghana Health Service, including the immediate reinforcement of baby-and-parent tagging systems at health facilities.

He also urged deeper collaboration with security agencies to bolster safety within hospitals and clinics.

As part of a working tour, Mr Akandoh visited Mamprobi Polyclinic, the College of Health Sciences, the Nursing and Midwifery Training College and the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital to assess infrastructure, service delivery and workforce preparedness.

At Korle Bu, he met with the mother of the recovered baby to express solidarity and reaffirm the Ministry’s commitment to justice and improved safety systems.

The Minister also welcomed calls by the Member of Parliament for the area, Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, for the expansion of labour, postnatal and recovery wards. He noted that infrastructure enhancement and strengthened security protocols remain central to ongoing reforms in the health sector.

Beyond physical infrastructure, Mr Akandoh underscored the importance of human resource development. He outlined plans to deploy newly trained health professionals promptly to facilities facing critical staffing shortages. He further disclosed that selected nursing institutions would be converted into post-basic speciality schools to address gaps in specialised care.

The Minister reaffirmed the government’s resolve to improve standards, safeguard patients and restore public confidence in Ghana’s healthcare delivery system.