The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has launched a major reform to ensure round-the-clock healthcare access nationwide, responding to critical gaps in emergency, maternal, and after-hours care.
The initiative aligns with President John Mahama’s National 24-Hour Economy mandate, targeting disparities that delay life-saving interventions.
GHS Director-General Professor Samuel Kabah Akoriyea inaugurated an oversight committee to lead the transition, emphasizing that 24/7 healthcare “goes beyond extending working hours.” The reforms will redesign workforce deployment with shift systems, upgrade infrastructure at Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds, and establish sustainable financing models. Akoriyea stressed that without resilient night-time services, Ghana’s economic ambitions would be undermined: “Our system must respond reliably to emergencies at midday or midnight.”
The move addresses stark inequities: while urban hospitals offer 24-hour services, many rural clinics close by dusk, leaving communities vulnerable. Delays in maternal care, accident response, and mental health crises have led to preventable deaths, particularly in underserved regions.
Phased Implementation Strategy
-
Workforce restructuring: Introducing night-duty protocols and specialized training
-
Infrastructure strengthening: Equipping CHPS compounds for nighttime operations
-
Supervision enhancements: Real-time monitoring of after-hours care quality
-
Financial safeguards: Ensuring sustainable funding for extended operations
The committee will prioritize phased rollouts to avoid service disruptions, focusing initially on high-burden districts. The reforms aim to support night-shift workers, reduce clinician burnout, and meet the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government’s pledge for equitable healthcare under Mahama’s second term.
