Ghana Adventist Health Services hold 7th AGM in Ellembelle

The Ghana Adventist Health Services (GAHS) has chalked another impressive operational performance in the 2022 year under review at the health facilities' 7th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of stakeholders.

This year's Annual General Meeting was held at Maaha hotel at Anokyi in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region on Monday, August 21, 2023.

The theme for this year's AGM was, "Assuring Quality Health Care Delivery amid the Global Economic Crisis, the Role of GAHS".

Addressing the gathering in Ellembelle District, Dr. James Antwi, Director of Ghana Adventist Health Services (GAHS), commended organizers of the meeting for choosing a very powerful theme.

"I am glad that the Ghana Adventist Health Service has been able to sustain the Annual General Meeting and this year is the 7th on the series since its inception. The theme for this year is 'Assuring Quality Health Care Delivery amid the global economic crisis; the role of GAHS' was carefully thought of by the organizers with a view to give participants a platform to discuss the current global economic challenges vis-a-vis delivering quality healthcare within a global landscape of increasing burden of chronic diseases which is even expected to continue", he said.



He added, "the AGM also serves as a forum for participants to share ideas-learning from challenges and best practices elsewhere and finding strategies to effectively respond to the looming danger ahead".



He described the year under review as extremely successful.

"As we discuss some important business decisions that have been taken in the last year, it gives me immense pleasure to say that the year under review had been extremely successful. At the beginning of this year, we agreed among ourselves to meet certain corporate goals measured by key performance indicators and targets - all in line with national health policy and the strategic direction of CHAG as well as Seventh-day Adventist Church's Mission; to improve the services we provide to our clients and to reach out to many with the word of God", he stated.

He disclosed, "I'm happy to report on the progress of our work during the first quarter of the year 2023. At the end of the first quarter of 2023, the total stock of health workers in GAHS stood at 5223. Out of this number 4,694 were on Government payroll and 529 on Internally Generated Fund. Out of the total stock, 56 per cent consists of nurses and midwives. Within the same period, the government through CHAG posted 239 enrolled nurses who were deployed to our facilities".

In terms of service delivery, a total number of 149,547 patients visited their facilities against 710,182 projected for the year representing 21.05 per cent of the projected figure.

Again, a total number of 16,805 patients were admitted in their facilities against 80,477 projected for the year representing 20.88 per cent of the projected figure.

The Ghana Adventist Health Services facilities across the country recorded a total of 13,939 ANC attendance against a projected annual attendance of 62,902.

Their facilities also recorded 2353 deliveries as against an annual target of 11580 with zero maternal death.

Dr. James Antwi said the Health Ministry's Department in their facilities conducted 13 evangelism against an annual target of 48 representing 27 per cent of the projected figure.

He emphasized, "We were able to attain licenses to start new facilities or renew the current status of some of our facilities. While this news makes us extremely happy and excited, it also puts a lot of pressure on us since we need to work harder than ever before.

He said their institution was able to facilitate the upgrading of Kwadaso SDA hospital to a secondary status.

He said they would continue to do the paper work to get accreditation of new facilities at Patransa, Anyinasu, Barekese, Asamankese and Cape Coast.

Dr. James Antwi revealed that their institution organised health screening exercises for 300 community members at Kwadaso on non-communicable diseases.

He said they were able to establish a Dental clinic at Valley View and Oduom with HEFRA accreditation.

He also said they were able to establish a new clinic at Asaago and upgrade the Denkyira Dominase to a hospital status.

On the way forward, he stated that, "In the months to come, you will get to learn, practice and initiate programs through seminars and especially designed programs to improve upon your hands-on experience, including your professional skills-set and leadership training. We have made some changes in the operations and have found that some of our staff possess good technical knowledge in other areas, therefore, some of them will be shifted to respond to new technical processes".

He also pledged to continue to provide quality health care to rural communities in Ghana.

The District Chief Executive (DCE) of Ellembelle, Kwasi Bonzoh, who spoke on behalf of the Western Regional Minister, commended the Ghana Adventist Health Services for choosing Ellembelle for its 7th Annual General Meeting.

He also commended them to establish a nursing training college at Asanda in Ellembelle District to train future nurses and midwives.

He disclosed that the government was upgrading the Saint Martin De Porres Hospital at Eikwe which is a member of Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG).

He, therefore, charged the Ghana Adventist Health Services to continue to provide quality health care for the poor.

On his part, the Executive Director of Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), Dr. Peter Yeboah, commended the Ghana Adventist Health Services for becoming the best institution in 2022 under CHAG.

He also commended the Ghana Adventist Health Services for not allowing their staff to embark on industrial actions.

He urged Ghanaian health professionals to stop moving from the country to different countries for greener pasture but remain in Ghana to provide services to the ordinary citizens.

At the end of the opening ceremony of the event, management of Ghana Adventist Health Services provided awards to some distinguished staff and individuals including the Majority Leader of Parliament, Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu for helping the institution.

Present at the 7th AGM were; the Chief of Anokyi, Nana Avo Blay V, Dr. Copper of Eikwe Saint De Porres Hospital, Ellembelle DCE, Kwasi Bonzoh, Western Regional Director of Health, staff of Ghana Adventist Health Services, the media and among others.