Choice Ghana to introduce Citizen Report Card

Choice Ghana, an NGO based in the East Gonja District of the Northern Region is collaborating with the Ministry of Health and the National Health Insurance scheme to introduce a Citizen Report Card, (CRC).

The CRC is a basic research tool to improve upon the quality of health service delivery in the country.

The Card also involves the collection and using of feedback information from the public, to access the quality of health delivery and how to improve on it.

Mr Mohammed Seidu, Executive Director of Choice Ghana, said this at the launch of the CRC in Salaga on Thursday.

He said Choice Ghana in partnership with Results for Development Institute, based in Washington in the US and funded by Transparency and Accountability Programme, is undertaking the initiative to improve upon quality health delivery.

Mr Seidu observed that, the quality of public services in most cases are inadequate and unreliable, adding that, it was based on this that the programme was introduced to enable citizens take the initiative to demand for better services.

It would also help them to appreciate the difficulties understaffed health workers had to undergo to attend to their needs.

He said the CRC would also give feedback to policy makers to enable them take measures to improve on policies and regulations that shape service provision.

Mr Fatawu Abdulai, Salaga District Health Administrator, emphasized the need for the full participation of stakeholders in the health sector, to contribute to provide quality health to the people.

He said the CRC would help minimize cost and improve upon efficiency as well as provide satisfaction to health workers and their clients.

Mr Ibrahim Tia, Scheme Manager of the National Health Insurance, urged health workers to be patient with their clients when attending to their needs and also work hard to reduce public perception that they are uncaring.**