Health providers called upon to be nice to patients

By
Samuel Dodoo, GNA

Accra, Dec. 6, GNA –
Participants at the 2019 review programme of the District Citizens’ Monitoring
Committee (DCMC) under the People for Health (P4H) Project have called on
health providers to be pleasant with patients in all situations at the
hospitals.

This followed complaints received by DCMC
members from some patients who attended hospitals in in Accra of unfortunate
situations they went through in the hands of some doctors and nurses.

The Committee
members contended that the patients had the right to know the identity of their
care-givers and that the information obtained about patients needed not be
disclosed to anyone.

The 2019 review
activities of DCMC was jointly organised by Janok Foundation, a community-based
organisation, SEND-Ghana, an international Non-Governmental Organisation, and
Penplusbites, with funding support from USAID.

The programme was
also used to sharpen the knowledge of participants and updated their skills on
issues that bordered on the treatment that patients go through.

The P4H programme is
geared towards reducing health inequalities, which was outlined in the
“Patient’s Charter” being implemented by SEND-Ghana.

Madam Jane Amerley
Oku, the Chief Executive Officer of the Janok Foundation told the Ghana News
Agency that the Patient’s Charter document introduced by the Ghana Health
Service was explicit enough for both the patients and health providers to
cooperate in service delivery.

She said the
activities of the DCMC were more on campaign in communities throughout the year
on stigma, discrimination and rights and responsibilities of patients and
care-givers.

Mr Reginald
Botchway, the Head of Community Development of the Ablekuma Central Municipal
Assembly, urged the communities to maintain hygienic environment in order to
promote good health.

Ms Janet Nartey of
the Social Welfare of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly urged community members
who attend hospitals to observe the acceptable format of the Patient’s Charter
and communicate important health messages for treatment.

GNA