The surprise visits is part of the minister’s broader efforts to assess healthcare delivery
Patients at Achimota and Ga North Municipal Hospitals did not hold back as they directly voiced their frustrations to the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, during an unannounced inspection tour of the two facilities on Friday, August 1, 2025.
The surprise visits, part of the minister’s broader efforts to assess healthcare delivery and identify urgent gaps, exposed a series of operational challenges ranging from staff absenteeism and long queues to outdated equipment and high treatment costs.
At Achimota Hospital, patients openly complained about delays in receiving medical attention and the rising cost of care.
“I have been waiting for a long time just to hear my name and receive my medication,” said a visibly frustrated woman at the pharmacy.
“Although the nurses are friendly, it takes a long time to get treated.”
Another patient decried the burden of out-of-pocket expenses, “I’m paying out-of-pocket for my treatment, and it’s expensive. I hope the hospital can improve its services, and the government can also make healthcare more affordable.”
The minister inspected key departments, including the maternity wards, female ward, VIP ward, consulting unit, and pharmacy.
A notable concern arose at Room 7 of the Medical Outpatient Department (OPD), which was completely unmanned at the time of his visit.
Management explained that out of the seven assigned staff, three were on leave and one was ill, leading to service delays.
At Ga North Municipal Hospital, similar frustrations were voiced by patients and staff alike. One patient lamented:
“I have been referred to another hospital for an operation because they don’t have the necessary equipment and anaesthesia here. It’s inconvenient and delays my treatment.”
Hospital staff also highlighted systemic issues, including a broken anaesthesia machine, a lack of diagnostic tools, and frequent network failures that disrupt National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) processes. These issues, they explained, often result in patients making co-payments or being denied timely care.
Akandoh admitted to “glaring deficiencies” in both staffing and equipment across the two facilities.
He noted that while many healthcare professionals are committed, the challenges they face often hamper service delivery.
“We need to enhance supervision, ensure proper staffing, and urgently upgrade critical equipment,” he stated.
“We are committed to resetting our healthcare system to improve patient outcomes and restore public confidence.”
The minister assured that findings from the visit would inform immediate policy action, particularly on staffing protocols, infrastructure investment, and NHIS operational efficiency.
Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh interacts with patients of Achimota Municipal Hospital…#GHOneNews #EIBNetwork#GHOneTV #NewsAlert pic.twitter.com/ZJwzLVJaq1
— GHOne TV (@ghonetv) August 1, 2025
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