Fifty selected journalist from all the sixteen regions of Ghana have been trained on Ghana health services community scorecard in the CHPS system.
The integration of the scorecards into the CHPS is to ensure quality health care, accountability and responsiveness to the health needs of clients and ultimately drive the universal health coverage agenda.
The two day training was organized by the Africa Media and Malaria Research Network (AMMREN) in partnership with Ghana health services and the African Leaders Malaria Alliance with funding from Expertise France.
Dr. Charity Binka, the executive secretary for AMMREN, reminded journalist of their crucial role in educating and raising awareness on the need for patients to have confidence in the health care systems and access it for their general good.
“Indeed if the country must attain universal health coverage, then it is necessary for both providers and receivers of health care should be sensitized she said”
The scorecard serves as a data bank to inform actions by allowing members of a community to score health facilities on selected indicators.
The scorecard is also a governance tool providing checks and balances that ensure accountability by primary health care facilities and the personnel there.
Dr. Andrew Ayin, the Deputy director of policy at the Ghana health services, said the community scorecard initiative had been envisioned by the GHS, to be the game changer in health delivery at the very basic level of care.
Mr. Divine Kwame Amanie, the Deputy Chief Biostatistics Officer, policy, planning, monitoring and evaluation, Ghana Health Service stated that the total functional CHPS zone as of March this year was 5,205 adding that, by bridging the gap required that CSOs played a critical role in helping to attain the universal coverage by 2030.
Some journalist who spoke with kanofmonline expressed appreciation to AMMREN and partners for the opportunity to acquire additional knowledge.