Newly inaugurated members of Health Institutions Advisory Boards have been tasked by the Ministry of Health to uphold the highest standards of integrity, accountability and discipline, treating their roles not as honorary titles but as a solemn call to service.
They are expected to provide impartial advice, drive reform and ensure ethical and results-driven management to enhance quality health reforms to strengthen the sector.
The Deputy Minister of Health, Prof. Dr Ayensu-Danquah, made these remarks after she administered the oath of office to members at their inaugural ceremony held last Tuesday at the Nursing and Midwifery Training College in Kumasi.
Also in attendance was the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene. It was chaired by the Chief of Toase, Nana Yim Awere Ababio.
“Uphold integrity, discipline and results-driven leadership in your roles, ensuring accountability and high-quality healthcare delivery”, she noted.
“You are required to submit regular progress reports, sign performance contracts with key performance indicators and prioritise the needs of Ghanaian patients”, the minister reminded members of thier mandate
The appointees, who represent the various nursing and midwifery training colleges within the middle belt of the country, were charged with fostering collaboration and bringing about necessary reforms.
Trainees welfare
Prof. Dr Ayensu-Danquah, who doubles as the Member of Parliament for Essikado-Ketan, said the government remained committed to improving the welfare and financial conditions of trainees.
Under the present government, she said, nursing trainee allowances were paid regularly, and that timely payment of these allowances had helped reduce hardship and allowed students to focus on their studies and clinical preparation.
In the same spirit, she emphasised how the government was implementing the No-Fee-Stress policy.
The policy ensures that all tertiary students, including student nurses and midwives, pay no fees for their first academic year.
The intervention, she stressed, was intended to expand access, reduce financial barriers and ensure that deserving Ghanaian students were not denied education and professional opportunity simply because of cost.
Prioritise patient needs
For his part, Nana Yim Awere Ababio charged the newly inaugurated board members to prioritise patient needs, adding that their overarching duty was to ensure the “common Ghanaian” received high-quality and safe care.
He charged members to ensure that regulatory and enforcement efforts were strengthened, particularly in critical areas such as drug regulation and financial accountability.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh
