The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on the government, the Ministry of Health, and key players in the health sector to make full use of available research data to strengthen the country’s healthcare delivery systems and improve overall health outcomes.
The call comes as the World Health Organization prepares to launch the findings of the Harmonized Health Facility Assessment (HHFA) Quality of Care Survey. The HHFA Quality of Care Survey was conducted by the WHO to assess the quality of healthcare services provided by personnel at health facilities across the country. The survey examined critical areas such as service availability, patient safety, staffing, infrastructure, and access to essential medicines and technologies.
According to the Strategic Health Information Office at the WHO Country Office, Dominic Kwabena Atweam, the findings from the assessment will provide policymakers and healthcare managers with reliable, evidence-based data to identify strengths and weaknesses in the health system. This data, he emphasized, should guide investment decisions and policy reforms aimed at improving healthcare delivery at all levels.
Ahead of the launch of the report, the WHO Country Office organized a one-day media training workshop, which brought together journalists, media professionals, and communication experts to enhance their ability to accurately interpret and communicate health-related research findings.
Speaking during the workshop, the Communications Officer at the WHO Country Office, Abdul-Lahie Abdul-Rahim Naa, encouraged journalists to become advocates for evidence-based health reporting, stressing that accurate, data-driven journalism can help the public better understand key health issues and foster accountability in the sector.
The training forms part of WHO’s broader effort to build the capacity of media professionals to interpret complex health data and translate it into simple, impactful messages for the general public. Participants were taken through sessions on understanding research methodologies, analyzing statistical findings, and avoiding misinformation in health reporting.
The full report on the HHFA Quality of Care Survey is scheduled to be officially launched on November 20 in Accra. The report will provide a detailed overview of the state of healthcare delivery in the country, highlighting areas that require urgent attention and investment.
The WHO has expressed optimism that once the data is made public, government agencies, health institutions, and development partners will use the findings to guide strategic planning, resource allocation, and quality improvement initiatives within the health sector.
By: Starrfm.com.gh/Joshua Kodjo Mensah
