GHS calls for stronger health administration to support free primary health care rollout

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has called for stronger collaboration, effective administration and practical solutions to improve support services for the implementation of the Free Primary Health Care (FPHC) policy.

The call came at a conference organised by the Health Administration and Support Services (HASS) Division, which brought together Health Service Administrators and stakeholders from across the country to examine how administrative and support services can strengthen healthcare delivery.

Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, said the success of Ghana's health system would depend not only on clinical care but also on the efficiency of the administrative structures that keep health facilities running.

"Healthcare does not function on clinical services alone, strong administrative and support systems are what enable quality care to reach the people who need it," he said.

Dr. Akoriyea noted that the introduction of the Free Primary Health Care policy would increase the number of people seeking healthcare services, making efficient administration more important than ever.

"The growing demand for healthcare means our administrative systems must be ready. We cannot allow limited human or financial resources to become an excuse for lowering standards. Administration is a leadership responsibility that requires commitment, vigilance and accountability," he said.

He urged health administrators to work closely with all categories of health professionals and use the conference to identify practical solutions to challenges facing the sector.

The Director of the HASS Division, Dr. Ebo Hammond, said the conference reflected a shared commitment to building a stronger and more responsive health system.

He encouraged participants to engage in frank discussions that would lead to improved institutional governance and better healthcare outcomes.

Chairperson for the conference, Mr. Kofi Poku, described support services as the foundation upon which quality healthcare is built.

"Clinical care may be at the centre of healthcare delivery, but support services are the engine that keeps the entire system functioning," he said.

Mr. Poku observed that the Free Primary Health Care initiative would place additional demands on health facilities and called for stronger cooperation between clinicians and administrative staff.

"Strong organisations do not wait for systems to fail before acting. This conference must produce practical recommendations that can be implemented to strengthen healthcare delivery," he said.

The conference was held under the theme “Strengthening Support Service for Effective Implementation of Ghana’s Free Primary Healthcare Policy.”