Ghana Health Service The New Charter PDF

## The New Charter: Ghana Health Service ### Introduction We are the Ghana Health Service, the service delivery agency under the Ministry of Health, established in 1996 by an Act of Parliament, Act 525. ### Vision We envision people living in Ghana live longer and are healthier, wealthier and ha...

## The New Charter: Ghana Health Service ### Introduction We are the Ghana Health Service, the service delivery agency under the Ministry of Health, established in 1996 by an Act of Parliament, Act 525. ### Vision We envision people living in Ghana live longer and are healthier, wealthier and happier. ### Mission To provide quality health service responsive to the needs of all persons living in Ghana by implementing approved Health Sector policies, increase access to priority health services and manage prudently resources available for provision of health services. ### Functions - Ensure access to health services at the community, sub-district, district and regional levels by providing health services or contracting out service provision to other recognized health care providers; - Set technical guidelines to achieve policy standards set by the Ministry - Plan, organize and administer comprehensive health services with special emphasis on primary health care; - Develop mechanisms for the equitable distribution of health facilities in rural and urban districts; - Manage and administer health institutions within the Service; - Contract with teaching hospitals for the treatment of referred patients; - Promote health, healthy living and good health habits by people; - Establish effective mechanisms for diseases surveillance, prevention and control; - Promote the efficiency and advancement of health workers through in-service and continuing education; - Manage the assets and properties of the Service to ensure the most effective use of them; - Determine, with the approval of the Minister charges for health services rendered by the Service; - Perform any other function that is relevant to the promotion, protection and restoration of health. ### The Ghana Health Service is Responsible For: - Implementation of approved national health policies for health delivery in the country - Increasing access to improve health services - Managing prudently resources available for provision of health services ### Our Service Standards We shall carry out our business within the following time frames: | Service | Time Frame | |-----------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1. Provision of specialists, secondary and primary clinical consultations | Within 3 hours of arrival at the clinic | | 2. Provision of emergency medical and surgical services | Seen within 5 minutes of arrival | | 3. Provision of General, laboratory services | Within 24 hours of specimen collection | | 4. Provision of General radiology services | Within 90 minutes of receipt of request | | 5. Provision of Pharmaceutical services (OPD) | Within 30 minutes upon receipt of prescription at the dispensary | | 6. Provision of inpatient clinical care | Daily review of patients | | 7. Provision of preventive, promotive and rehabilitative care | Throughout the year | | 8. Provision of operational and clinical research to enhance quality of care | When the need arises | | 9. Provision of on-the-job training for health trainees in post-secondary and tertiary institutions | Throughout the year | ### We Strive to Work Towards Ensuring: - Less frustration to the clients - Value for money for the client - Achievement of desired health outcomes - Respect for the rights and responsibilities of patients/clients, families, and community members as well as fellow health service providers - The right to protection from discrimination based on culture, ethnicity, language, religion, gender, age, and type of illness or disability - The confidentiality of information obtained from patients/clients in the course of treatment. Such information shall not be disclosed to a third party without the patient's/clients consent. The client is entitled to act on his/her behalf except where such information is required by law or is in the public interest. ### Courtesy and Cooperation Our core values: **People centered** 1. Client-centered: We strive to exceed the expectations of all our clients. 2. Staff-centered: - We recognize and value our health workforce as our most important resource. - We recognize that a capable and motivated workforce is essential for delivering quality health care. - The well-being of our staff is our priority. 3. Partner-friendly: - We develop and strengthen collaborative relationships with all our partners. - We recognize that the capacity and comparative strength of partners is essential for our success Professionalism. - Our main business is to provide quality care to all citizens. - Performance of all employees must aim at the highest professional standards. - We support the professional and personal growth of employees in the pursuit of our mission. - We are guided by relevant evidence and global trends to provide high quality healthcare. ### Team work - We recognize that healthcare services rely on teamwork among various health professional groups. - We recognize that teamwork leads to better results (Together Everyone Achieves More). - Team achievements bring rewards to everyone. - Take a collaborative and multidisciplinary team approach to patient care, teaching and research. ### Innovation/excellence - We pursue excellence and innovation in everything we do. - We strive to foster a learning environment. - We seek knowledge, share information and embrace innovation to continuously improve our services and ourselves. ### Discipline - We believe that a disciplined workforce can effectively deliver quality health services. - We are committed to be guided by the tenets of the GHS Codes of Conduct and Ethics - We are committed to maintaining the highest level of accountability. ### Integrity - We believe that integrity is paramount in all that we do. - We strive to maintain the highest level of integrity in our work. ### What We Expect From The Public The patient should understand that he/she is responsible for his/her own health and should therefore co-operate fully with health care providers. The client is responsible for: - Providing full and accurate medical history for his/her diagnosis treatment, counselling and rehabilitation purposes - Providing additional information and/or clarification regarding his/her health or treatment which may not have been well understood. - Complying with prescribed treatment, reporting adverse effects and adhering to follow-up requests. - Informing his/her health care providers of any anticipated problems in following prescribed treatment or advice. - Honoring all his/her financial responsibilities to the hospital. - Acquiring knowledge on preventive, promotive and simple curative practices and where necessary to seek early professional help. - Maintaining safe and hygienic environment in order to promote good health. - Respecting the rights of other patients and clients and health service personnel. - Adhering to the regulations regarding hospital facilities. - Requesting appropriate information on his/her condition, management, possible risk, alternative treatment available. ### Information Transparency And Convenience - We will provide clean and friendly waiting areas. - Clients' complaint desks will be provided. - Suggestion boxes will be placed at vantage points and checked regularly. - We will provide open-source information on our range of services (flyers, advertisements etc). - Client satisfaction surveys will be conducted periodical. ### Complaints And Comments You may address your complaints and comments to: ALL REGIONAL DIRECTORS OF HEALTH SERVICES ACROSS THE COUNTRY Where you are not satisfied, you may address same to: The Director – General Ghana Health Service PMB, Ministries Accra Where you are still not satisfied, you may address same to: The Chairman of the Ghana Health Service Council Ghana Health Service PMB, Ministries Accra Where you are still not satisfied, you may address same to: The Hon. Minister of Health Ministry of Health P.O. Box MB-44 Accra As a final resort, you may appeal to: The New Charter Office, C/o Office of the President, Ministry of Public Sector Reform, PMB Stadium Post Office, Accra. Tel: 021 672333/684086/671359 Fax: 021 671358 ### Other Collaborative Agencies We shall collaborate with the following agencies: - Ministry of Health - Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital - Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital - Regional and district hospital - Medical and Dental Council ### Where You Can Find Us Our contact information is as follows: **Physical location:** GHS Building, near Tema Lorry Station or Ghana News Agency **Postal address:** Ghana Health Service, PMB, Ministries, Accra Tel: 233 – 21-662014 / 680003 Fax: 233 – 21-666808 **Email address:** **Website:** www.ghanahealthservice.org