Healthcare professionals’ are gradually losing that “Florence Nightingale” touch, which every patient needs for speedy recovery, Dr. George Amofa, Deputy Director of the Ghana Health Service bemoaned on Thursday.
He said, “health care professionals do not see patients as creatures of God”, who must be given the necessary attention and treatment in times of sicknesses and pain, adding that, quality customer service was fast eluding our health institutions.
Dr. Amofa expressed this sentiment at the 43rd annual Council Meeting of the Christian Health Association of Ghana, under the theme: “Working with Communities to Improve Health Outcomes” at Takoradi, in the Western Region.
The Deputy Director noted that, the way nurses and doctors handle emergency situation could go a long way in making the difference between life and deaths, “lots of the deaths could in fact be avoided with just a simple smile to the patients as a symbol of showing love and care”.
On maternal health and mortality rate in the country, Dr. Amofa urged professionals to give out their utmost to minimize such incidence, adding that, “You should not consider the pay but proudly give out quality services in the hospitals”.
Dr. Amofa said the GHS was looking at making customer care programmes part of the training of health professionals.