The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has issued a directive to all Regional Directors of Health, emphasizing the urgent need to strengthen disability-friendly healthcare services across hospitals nationwide. This directive, outlined in a memo from Acting Director-General Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, calls for immediate action to improve accessibility and inclusivity for persons with disabilities, ensuring that healthcare facilities accommodate their needs effectively.
The move underscores GHS’s commitment to eliminating barriers in healthcare and fostering a more inclusive medical system that prioritizes equal access for all patients.
The directive follows a high-level meeting with Regional Directors on February 13, 2025, where the importance of disability-friendly healthcare services was highlighted. During the discussions, stakeholders acknowledged the gaps in accessibility and the need for swift reforms to ensure that healthcare facilities cater adequately to persons with disabilities. As a follow-up to this meeting, the GHS engaged with the National Disability Council and the Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations to strategize on improving rehabilitation services and integrating essential modifications across hospitals. These engagements brought to light the challenges faced by persons with disabilities, such as the lack of accessible infrastructure, inadequate specialized services, and the absence of trained personnel to handle disability-related healthcare needs.
The memo from GHS cited Section 33 of the Disability Act, which mandates the provision of accessible healthcare services for persons with disabilities. It reaffirmed the legal obligation of the Health Service to ensure equal healthcare access, urging hospitals to take proactive steps in eliminating physical and systemic barriers that hinder the effective treatment of disabled patients. These measures include implementing structural modifications such as wheelchair ramps, accessible washrooms, and priority seating in waiting areas. Additionally, healthcare personnel are expected to be trained in disability-sensitive care, with hospitals required to provide sign language interpreters where necessary to bridge communication gaps between medical staff and patients with hearing impairments.
To ensure that these initiatives are successfully implemented, Regional Directors have been tasked with activating existing structures within hospitals to support inclusivity. This includes ensuring the operational functionality of social welfare offices, updating peer review checklists to reflect disability-friendly practices, and reorienting disability focal persons at regional and district levels. The emphasis on social welfare offices is crucial, as they play a pivotal role in coordinating assistance for persons with disabilities and ensuring that they receive the necessary medical attention without bureaucratic delays. Updating peer review checklists will also enable hospitals to assess their progress in becoming more disability-friendly, identifying areas where further improvements are needed.
Beyond structural changes, the directive calls for a shift in attitude and service delivery within the healthcare system. Healthcare workers are being encouraged to adopt a more patient-centered approach when dealing with persons with disabilities, ensuring that they receive compassionate and dignified care. This includes reducing waiting times for disabled patients, offering specialized consultations, and providing accessible information on medical services available to them. Prof. Akoriyea emphasized that compliance with these directives will be closely monitored, with adherence being factored into performance appraisals of regional health authorities. The move is intended to hold hospitals accountable for their commitment to inclusivity and to ensure that the reforms are not merely policy statements but actionable changes that yield tangible results.
GHS’s directive also highlights the need for continuous collaboration between health institutions and disability organizations. By working closely with advocacy groups and stakeholders, hospitals can gain better insights into the evolving needs of persons with disabilities and make informed decisions on improving healthcare delivery. This partnership is expected to drive meaningful changes within the system, ensuring that persons with disabilities receive the care they deserve without unnecessary challenges or discrimination.
As part of the broader efforts to enhance disability-friendly healthcare, the government and relevant stakeholders will explore funding opportunities to support infrastructure modifications and staff training programs. Adequate funding is essential to sustaining these reforms, as many hospitals may require additional resources to implement the necessary adjustments. Healthcare facilities are also encouraged to leverage technology to improve accessibility, such as telemedicine services for persons with mobility impairments and digital health platforms designed to accommodate diverse needs.
The directive is a step towards aligning Ghana’s healthcare system with international best practices in disability inclusion. Many countries have adopted similar measures to ensure that healthcare services are accessible to all, recognizing that equitable healthcare is a fundamental human right. By prioritizing disability-friendly services, Ghana reaffirms its commitment to upholding the rights of persons with disabilities and fostering a healthcare environment that values diversity and inclusivity.
As the implementation process unfolds, GHS remains resolute in its mission to foster an inclusive healthcare environment where every individual, regardless of ability, can access quality medical services. The call for disability-friendly healthcare is not just a policy directive but a necessary step towards a more equitable and compassionate healthcare system for all. This initiative is expected to pave the way for a future where persons with disabilities no longer face obstacles in accessing healthcare, ensuring that their medical needs are met with the dignity and respect they deserve.
This strengthened commitment from the GHS signals a broader shift towards inclusive development, acknowledging that true progress is measured by how well a society caters to its most vulnerable populations. Moving forward, it is anticipated that regional health authorities will prioritize these reforms, ensuring that Ghana’s healthcare system becomes a model of accessibility and inclusion for other nations to follow.
