The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, has directed all directors at national, regional and district levels to strictly enforce the wearing of approved uniforms and visible name tags by health workers across public health facilities.
The directive was issued during a working visit to the Catholic Hospital, Battor, where Dr Kaba inspected operations at the hospital’s Cervical Cancer Treatment and Training Centre.
According to him, the measure is aimed at promoting professionalism, strengthening accountability, and improving patient safety within the health system.
Dr Kaba stressed that proper identification is critical to preventing impersonation and protecting both patients and staff. His comments come in the wake of a recent incident at the Mamprobi Polyclinic in Accra, where a woman allegedly posed as a nurse and stole a baby under the pretext of administering medication.
He noted that visible identification would help deter such occurrences and restore public confidence in health institutions.
Beyond security concerns, the Director-General explained that name tags enhance service delivery by making health professionals easily identifiable, thereby encouraging transparency and professional conduct.
He described the directive as consistent with international best practices, pointing out that in many countries nurses and doctors are clearly identifiable through standardised uniforms and visible identification badges.
Dr Kaba further encouraged health personnel to wear Ghana Health Service-branded attire when travelling on official assignments, stating that proper identification earns respect, recognition, and institutional pride.
“Our uniform identifies us, gives us privilege, and protects us. We must take pride in our profession and safeguard its integrity,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Volta Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Atsu Dodor, welcomed the move and pledged full enforcement of the directive across facilities in the region.
Source: Wesleyannews.com
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