Western Region Minister, Joseph Nelson, has announced plans to establish a platform that will allow individuals to share their experiences—both positive and negative—while seeking medical care at public Health Facilities.
Revealing details of the initiative in an interview with Nhyiraba Paa Kwesi Simpson, the host of Connect FM’s Omanbapa Morning Show on July 16, Mr. Nelson indicated that while many health professionals deliver quality care, there are still instances where patients endure unpleasant or unprofessional treatment, often with no clear channel to direct such experiences for redress
“I have a deep passion for the health sector because everyone depends on it at some point. When people go to the hospital, they expect to receive the best care. Unfortunately, this is not always the case,” he indicated.
“We receive numerous complaints about the quality of care in some facilities. It’s not that our health professionals aren’t well-trained—they are—but sometimes they fall short. The problem is that patients have no one to speak for them.” He added.
The Regional Minister explained that the ‘My Hospital Experience’ project aims to be a voice for patients who often feel helpless in the face of poor treatment.
“Many people have gone through painful ordeals while seeking medical attention. If you listen to their stories, you’ll be moved to tears,” he noted.
As part of the initiative, special complaint units will be established at each MMDA (Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assembly) in the Western Region.
These units will be accessible to all residents who wish to report their healthcare experiences.
The initiative will not only highlight grievances but also recognize healthcare workers who go the extra mile in providing quality service.
“We are creating a platform for people to share both good and bad experiences.” He said.
“Healthcare professionals who provide excellent service will be recognized and rewarded, while those who fall short will be investigated and penalized. Each MMDA (Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assembly) in the region will have a dedicated desk to collect these reports.” Mr Nelson indicated.
In addition, a mobile application is being developed to make it easier for individuals to share their experiences digitally.
According to Mr Nelson, healthy citizens. are the greatest asset of any country and believes this initiative would go a long way to improve health service delivery in the region which would translate into increasing productivity.
