The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has launched the *Network of Practice* program at the Gorogo Health Center to improve the quality and accessibility of health services in nearby communities. Over the years, the GHS has implemented measures to help meet the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 3 by 2030, which seeks to “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.”
The Talensi District Health Director, Madam Juliana Anam-erime, highlighted that district and regional hospitals are often overwhelmed with cases that, with proper equipment, medicines, and personnel, could be managed at health centers. She explained the rationale behind the Network of Practice program.
“Network of Practice is essentially a group of health facilities, both public and private, within a specific geographic area, connected to each other functionally to maximize efficiencies. These health facilities are designated as the *Hub*, which includes well-resourced health centers, and the *Spokes*, which are the CHPS compounds surrounding the health center. The NoP uses the Model Health Center as the hub because health centers must play a gatekeeping role in health service delivery.
“The rationale for adopting the *Network of Practice* approach is to improve health service delivery by reducing avoidable mortalities through efficient referrals and addressing access issues in communities. The Network of Practice also seeks to alleviate pressure on hospitals by equipping health centers as hubs so that hospitals can focus on complex and specialized cases amid limited resources.”
The Wakii CHPS, Tenzuk CHPS, Gbeogo CHPS, and Belimbisi CHPS will be networked with the Gorogo Health Center, which will act as the hub, supplying essential medicines and personnel to the surrounding CHPS compounds and reducing congestion at the district hospital.
Madam Adijatu Tiramisu, speaking on behalf of the Upper East Regional Director of Health Services, urged the hub health centers to perform their duties professionally to achieve the program’s objectives.
Hon. Yin Pumongsor Joseph, the assembly member for the Gorogo electoral area, chaired the program and officially launched the *Network of Practice* on behalf of the District Chief Executive.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Samuel Adagom|Ghana
