Health Minister directs teaching hospitals to operate 24-hour OPDs, labs under government policy
Frank Ocansey
Editor, PulseView
The Health Minister, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has directed all public teaching hospitals across the country to immediately commence 24-hour operations of their Out-Patient Departments (OPDs), laboratories, and diagnostic centres, in line with the President’s 24-Hour Health Service Policy.
The directive was issued during an ongoing sector-wide health management retreat, which has brought together key leaders and heads of agencies across the health sector to assess performance, address operational gaps, and outline strategic priorities for the coming years.
According to the Minister, expanding service hours at teaching hospitals is critical to improving access to healthcare, reducing congestion, and responding more effectively to the needs of the public, particularly in emergency and diagnostic care.
“All teaching hospitals must urgently begin operating 24-hour OPDs and laboratory services in line with the President’s 24-hour health service policy,” Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh directed.
Sunyani Regional Hospital to be fast-tracked for teaching hospital status
As part of broader reforms, the Health Minister also instructed the Health Facilities Regulatory Authority (HeFRA) and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to expedite accreditation processes to enable the Sunyani Regional Hospital to function fully as a teaching hospital.
He stressed that the hospital should be treated with the same priority and standards as existing teaching hospitals, noting that its elevation would enhance clinical training, decongest overstretched teaching hospitals, and improve access to specialised healthcare services in the Bono Region and surrounding areas.
“The NHIA and HeFRA are accordingly directed to treat the Sunyani Regional Hospital as a teaching hospital and not as just any hospital,” he stated.
Aligning institutions with government health priorities
Mr Akandoh emphasised that the government’s health sector agenda outlines critical reforms and targeted interventions aimed at expanding access, strengthening coordination, and improving service delivery nationwide. However, he noted that success depends on how well institutions align their objectives, budgets, and operational plans with these national commitments.
He described the two-day retreat as a strategic opportunity for sector leadership to take stock of progress made so far, confront implementation challenges, and reposition institutions toward clearly defined targets for 2026 and beyond.
“This retreat provides a timely opportunity to assess our progress, address implementation gaps, and reposition ourselves toward delivering improved outcomes for citizens,” the Health Minister said.
Call for coordinated action and accountability
The Health Minister further underscored that effective policy delivery requires health institutions to move beyond planning into coordinated action, stressing the importance of inter-agency collaboration and accountability.
He urged health facilities to become more responsive to public needs, particularly by expanding service availability and ensuring that citizens can access essential healthcare services at all hours.
“I encourage you all to demonstrate renewed commitment, deepen inter-agency collaboration, and uphold accountability as you work collectively to advance government’s health agenda,” he added.
The directive marks a significant step in the implementation of the government’s 24-hour economy and health service vision, with expectations that the expanded operating hours will ease pressure on health facilities and improve patient outcomes nationwide.
