The Damongo Diocesan Health Directorate held a three-day Senior Managers’ Retreat, bringing together key stakeholders in the healthcare sector to strategize on improving service delivery in the Diocese and the Savannah Region. The retreat, held under the theme “Leveraging the Ghana Health Service Network of Practice to Enhance Our Comparative Advantage for Improved Service Delivery: The Role of Facility Management Teams,” aims to strengthen collaboration and innovation among healthcare professionals.
Welcoming participants, the Director of the Damongo Diocesan Health Service, Mr. Aiden Ngmenbon, emphasized the importance of the retreat in equipping healthcare managers with the necessary skills to drive quality service delivery.
He underscored the role of Facility Management Teams in ensuring accessible, timely, and patient-centered care, stressing that the Ghana Health Service Network of Practice offers a unique opportunity to improve healthcare outcomes through shared knowledge and best practices.
Highlighting key areas of focus, Mr. Ngmenbon emphasized the need for the continuous professional development and motivation of healthcare workers, particularly in addressing staffing challenges. He noted the gaps in critical healthcare personnel, including Biomedical Scientists, Laboratory Technicians, Pharmacists, and Medical Officers. While efforts are being made to receive postings and retain these professionals, he called for stronger partnerships with the Savannah Regional Health Directorate and International Partners to bridge these crucial staffing gaps.
Beyond human resource concerns, the director stressed the importance of equipping healthcare facilities with modern medical equipment and logistics.
He noted that outmoded or inadequate medical equipment significantly affect service delivery and that the directorate is working towards replacing obsolete equipment while seeking external support to enhance diagnostic capabilities in all its facilities.
On governance and leadership, Mr. Ngmenbon urged facility Managers to uphold accountability, transparency, and participatory decision-making to build trust amongst staff and within the communities they serve. He also acknowledged the crucial role of partnerships in strengthening the healthcare system, recognizing various stakeholders such as the Savannah Regional Health Directorate, Gonja Traditional Council, and international organizations like Kindermissionswerk, Missio, and the Mustangh Foundation for their continued support.
Reaffirming the commitment of the Regional Health Directorate to healthcare improvement, the Deputy Savannah Regional Health Director in charge of administration, Mr. Godswill Dome, emphasized the significance of Networks of Practice (NOP). He described NOP as a powerful tool for enhancing collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and innovation among healthcare professionals.
Mr. Dome highlighted that effective communication, collaborative problem-solving, and knowledge management are essential components of the NOP framework. He noted that healthcare systems worldwide have benefitted from NOPs, leading to improved patient outcomes, cost reductions, and enhanced service delivery. He urged healthcare managers to embrace NOP principles by fostering a culture of teamwork and continuous learning.
To ensure the successful implementation of NOPs, Mr. Dome called for investments in digital infrastructure to facilitate seamless communication and information-sharing. He also stressed the need for strong facility Management Teams, regular training, and an evaluation framework to monitor the impact of NOPs on healthcare delivery.
Both speakers emphasized the collective responsibility of healthcare Managers in transforming challenges into opportunities. They encouraged participants to actively engage in discussions, share experiences, and commit to strengthening the healthcare system in the Savannah Region.
As the retreat progressed, stakeholders were expected to deliberate on actionable strategies to enhance healthcare service delivery, leveraging the Ghana Health Service Network of Practice to create a more resilient and efficient health system.
