Ghana’s public health system has long been fraught with inefficiencies, ranging from inadequate infrastructure to outdated service delivery models.
While expenditure in Ghana towards healthcare resources has increased in the last two decades to improve public health, much still needs to be done.
According to research, the numerous and serious healthcare problems are due to poor health infrastructure, inadequate education, hygiene and sanitation as well as extreme poverty and hunger.
Dr. Kwame Asiedu Sarpong, a seasoned Pharmacist and Democracy and Development (D&D) Fellow in Public Health at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), has added his voice to the chorus of professionals calling for urgent reforms.
He argued that the country’s continued reliance on obsolete healthcare structures, such as the Outpatient Department (OPD) model, is stalling progress and compromising patient care.
“One of the mistakes we have made in building an efficient healthcare system is the assumption that health practitioners and experts know it all. This is why relics like the OPD are still part of healthcare delivery in an era when IT has revolutionised appointment booking in almost every aspect of service provision”.
Dr Kwame Asiedu Sarpong, a seasoned Pharmacist and D&D Fellow in Public Health at the Centre for Democratic Development
He believes this misplaced notion has contributed to stagnation in adopting modern healthcare delivery models, emphasizing that the persistence of the OPD system, which was introduced decades ago, is a glaring example of how Ghana’s healthcare sector is clinging to outdated practices despite overwhelming evidence of their inefficiencies.
In an era where information technology (IT) has revolutionized appointment booking and service delivery across multiple sectors, Dr Sarpong stressed that it is baffling that Ghana’s healthcare system still relies on long queues at OPDs for patient consultations.
He pointed out that countries that initially introduced the OPD concept have since discarded it in favour of more efficient digital solutions, recognizing that the model is not only time-wasting but also increases the risk of hospital-acquired infections.
According to him, patients forced to sit in crowded waiting areas for hours are exposed to various communicable diseases, further straining an already overburdened healthcare system.
Dr Sarpong conceded that in emergency situations, booking an appointment may not be feasible, however, he noted that Ghana’s healthcare data suggests that approximately 75% of all hospital visits are routine check-ups or reviews.
In such cases, forcing patients to endure long waits for services that could easily be scheduled and managed through digital platforms is both inefficient and unnecessary.
He questioned the rationale behind maintaining a system that subjects patients to such inconveniences when viable alternatives exist.
Implication for Quality Healthcare
The inefficiency of Ghana’s public health system is not just a matter of inconvenience but also has dire implications for the quality of healthcare delivery.
Overcrowding at OPDs often results in rushed consultations, increasing the likelihood of misdiagnoses and inappropriate prescriptions.
Healthcare professionals, overwhelmed by the sheer number of patients they must attend to daily, struggle to provide comprehensive care.
This systemic inefficiency contributes to the declining trust in Ghana’s public healthcare institutions, pushing many citizens towards private hospitals, which, although expensive, offer better service experiences.
A fundamental shift in Ghana’s healthcare approach is necessary to address these challenges. Dr. Sarpong emphasized the importance of listening to service users—patients—who experience these inefficiencies firsthand.
Unfortunately, the absence of strong patient advocacy in Ghana’s healthcare space has allowed policymakers and health administrators to sideline much-needed reforms. If the people affected by poor healthcare services do not demand better, the status quo will persist.
Modernizing Ghana’s healthcare system requires an intentional move towards digital health solutions. Appointment booking systems, telemedicine consultations, and electronic health records should become the norm rather than the exception.
Countries that have successfully implemented such measures have significantly reduced patient wait times and improved overall healthcare efficiency.
By integrating digital platforms into routine healthcare services, Ghana can optimize resource allocation, reduce the risk of hospital-acquired infections, and enhance the patient experience.
The government and health authorities must recognize that patient-centric policies are key to improving public healthcare delivery.
Investments should be directed towards training healthcare workers in digital service provision, developing robust IT infrastructure for hospitals, and sensitizing the public on the benefits of a digitized healthcare system.
Rather than relying on overburdened OPDs, routine consultations should be managed through pre-scheduled appointments, freeing up hospital resources to focus on critical and emergency cases.
The healthcare challenges in Ghana are not insurmountable, but they require political will and a commitment to reform. The continued inefficiency of the OPD system is symptomatic of a broader issue: resistance to change.
Healthcare administrators and policymakers must be willing to adopt innovations that enhance service delivery rather than clinging to outdated practices that compromise patient care.
Dr. Sarpong’s concerns are a wake-up call to all stakeholders in the health sector. The inefficiencies in Ghana’s public health system are evident, and the solutions are not beyond reach.
It is time to embrace a forward-thinking approach that prioritizes efficiency, patient safety, and service quality.
If Ghana truly aims to build a robust and effective healthcare system, it must discard obsolete models and harness the power of modern technology to improve healthcare outcomes for all citizens.
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