ADDRESSING PATIENT CARE ISSUES IN GHANA: A CALL FOR AWARENESS AND REFORM

 By Adam Siaka

In recent years, the public perception of healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, in Ghana has been increasingly negative. Many patients report that nurses are unapproachable and often unfriendly; this can deter them from fully disclosing their health concerns. Instances of nurses shouting at patients, including elderly individuals, are not uncommon. Such behaviour undermines the trust and respect that the nursing profession once commanded.

One significant issue exacerbating this problem is the distraction caused by mobile phones. Nurses frequently engage with social media, chat on WhatsApp, and take selfies during work hours, neglecting their duties to care for patients. This diversion of attention is particularly alarming given the critical nature of their responsibilities. The decline in public respect for the nursing profession is evident, and the contrast with the disciplined, compassionate nurses of the past is stark.

Doctors, while generally more spared from public criticism, are not without fault. The doctor-patient ratio in Ghana is indeed strained, leading to overworked medical staff. However, some doctors use this as an excuse to shirk responsibilities, leaving patients uninformed about their diagnoses. This lack of communication is detrimental to patient care, as understanding one's health condition is essential for the healing process.

A particularly distressing incident witnessed at the Sunyani Municipal Hospital in July 2021 highlights these issues. A woman in labour with twins was left unattended for over 12 hours, despite the known complications requiring a caesarean section. The attending doctor left the hospital, and the nurses showed a shocking lack of concern for the patient’s dire condition. The woman had to crawl to seek help, only to be locked back in the delivery room by a nurse. This case underscores the urgent need for accountability and better care standards in our healthcare system.

The core of these issues lies in the lack of awareness and enforcement of patient rights, as outlined in the Ghanaian Patient Charter. Introduced in February 2002, this regulatory document details the rights of patients, including the right to quality healthcare, full information about their health, and a respectful, informed doctor-patient relationship. Unfortunately, a significant portion of both the public and healthcare workers are unaware of this charter, or its contents, leading to widespread ignorance and violations of patient rights.

The findings of Abeka Nkrumah and colleagues reveal alarming statistics: 53.4% of Ghanaians are unaware of the Patient Charter, and while 61.8% of health workers know of its existence, many do not understand its content. Furthermore, 33.7% of health workers have no knowledge of the charter at all. This lack of knowledge is a critical barrier to the enforcement of patient rights and the improvement of healthcare standards.

To address these issues, it is imperative that the Ghana Education Service incorporates the Patient Charter into the basic school curriculum. Educating young Ghanaians about their rights will empower them to demand better care as they grow. The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) must also intensify its efforts to raise awareness about the charter.

Healthcare facility administrators need to enforce stricter disciplinary measures to deter unprofessional behaviour among staff. Establishing a robust monitoring system to identify and address unethical practices is crucial. The Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service must prioritize these reforms to ensure a more disciplined and patient-centred healthcare system.

As citizens, knowing and exercising our rights is essential for improving the quality of healthcare in Ghana. It is a collective responsibility to advocate for better practices and hold healthcare professionals accountable. By fostering awareness and enforcing the Patient Charter, we can work towards a healthcare system that respects and upholds the dignity and rights of every patient.