Health authorities in Obuasi have announced that the municipality recorded no malaria-related deaths in 2025, marking a significant milestone in the fight against the disease.
According to the Ghana Health Service (GHS), this achievement represents the third consecutive year that the municipality has recorded zero malaria deaths. Health experts attribute the success to sustained malaria control interventions implemented by the AngloGold Ashanti Malaria Control Programme (AGAMal) in collaboration with the health service.
The disclosure was made during the Annual Performance Review Meeting organized by the GHS for health workers from the Obuasi Municipality and the Adansi District. The meeting, held at the Obuasi Municipal Assembly, provided a platform for health professionals and stakeholders to assess the performance of health facilities, review challenges within the sector, and develop strategies to improve healthcare delivery.
The forum brought together health practitioners, administrators, and key stakeholders to evaluate the health sector’s performance over the past year and identify areas that require improvement.
Concerns Over Professional Conduct and Customer Care
During the discussions, Mr. Samuel Abu, a Public Health Nurse, raised concerns about the professional conduct of some health workers, particularly regarding patient relations and customer care. He noted that negative attitudes towards patients could undermine the credibility of health facilities and discourage people from seeking medical attention.
According to him, poor interactions between health workers and patients often spread through word of mouth within communities, ultimately affecting the utilization of health services.
“When patients are treated poorly, they share their experiences with others, and this can discourage people from visiting our facilities,” he cautioned.
Mr. Abu emphasized the importance of effective communication in healthcare delivery. He encouraged health workers to greet patients politely, listen attentively to their concerns, use simple and clear language, and properly explain medical procedures. He also highlighted key principles of quality customer care in healthcare, including respect, courtesy, empathy, confidentiality, equity, and professionalism.
Call for Compassion and Professionalism
Supporting these concerns, the Municipal Finance Officer of the Obuasi Municipal Assembly Mr. Yahaya Zakaria who represented the MCE, urged health workers to demonstrate compassion and professionalism in their interactions with patients, regardless of their social or economic status.
He indicated that reports of discriminatory attitudes in some health facilities could undermine public confidence in the health system and therefore called for a renewed commitment to fairness and empathy in service delivery.
Mr. Zakaria also stressed the importance of mutual respect within the health workforce. According to him, a culture of respect between supervisors and subordinates is critical for effective teamwork and a productive working environment.
“Showing compassion and respect in the workplace promotes unity and strengthens the health sector,” he noted.
Leadership Emphasizes Dedication to Service
The Acting Municipal Director of Health Services, Mr. Ransford Kwame Owusu, underscored the importance of dedication and compassion in healthcare delivery. He encouraged health workers to approach their duties with passion and a strong commitment to saving lives.
“When you truly love your work, you give it your best. Health workers must demonstrate care and compassion when dealing with patients and colleagues,” he said.
Mr. Owusu further urged facility heads and supervisors to strengthen monitoring and supervision within their departments. He advised them to regularly review treatment procedures, address mistakes promptly, and maintain open communication with staff to improve service delivery.
Equipment Challenges Affecting Performance
Another key issue raised during the meeting was the lack of adequate medical equipment in some health facilities.
Mr. Mahama Ibrahim, the Health Information Officer for the Adansi North District, presented a comparative analysis of the performance of health facilities in the municipality. According to him, some facilities recorded lower performance levels compared to previous years, largely due to inadequate equipment and logistical challenges.
He cited the example of resuscitation equipment, explaining that some facilities operate with only one resuscitation kit, which could present serious challenges during emergencies involving multiple patients.
“These are critical issues that require urgent attention to ensure effective healthcare delivery,” he stressed.
Mr. Ibrahim also expressed concern about the growing trend of self-medication among the public. He observed that many individuals bypass health facilities and instead purchase medicines directly from pharmacies without proper medical diagnosis.
He therefore urged health workers to intensify public education and encourage people to seek professional medical advice before taking medication.
Need for More Health Personnel and Equipment
Adding to the concerns, the District Director of Health Services for Fomena, Director Atuahene, highlighted the shortage of Physician Assistants and essential medical equipment in several healthcare facilities within the district.
He called for increased investment in the health sector and encouraged health workers to take time to educate patients on basic health practices in order to discourage self-medication and promote healthier communities.
Strengthening Health Service Delivery
Despite the challenges raised, participants acknowledged the significant progress made in the municipality’s health sector, particularly the achievement of zero malaria-related deaths in 2025.
The meeting ended with a renewed commitment by health workers and stakeholders to strengthen service delivery, improve patient care, and address systemic challenges affecting healthcare provision across the municipality.
Story by
Ernest Kofi Offen/ Miss Aida
(ISD, Obuasi)