Organisation Type:
National NGO
Origins:
1 991
Description:
Until 1991, the Diocesan Health Office (DHO) operated independently of the Diocesan Development Office (DDO). Following the restructuring of the DDO, all development units including the Diocesan Health Office were brought under the DDO. This new arrangement, which is for administrative convenience, has brought some benefits to the DHO as it benefited from the expertise within the DDO. A Health Needs Assessment was carried out between 1992 and 1994 based on which a three-year Health Development Plan was implemented from 1996 to 1999.
Quote:
If you look at the provision of health service by the government, it doesn't reach everyone. So we are complementing what the government has not been able to do for the community. Everyone needs health.
Objectives:
The main objective of the Diocesan Health Office (DDO) is to provide high quality and accessible health care in the most effective, efficient, equitable and innovative manner, specific to the needs of the rural communities at a cost that is affordable.
Partner Activities:
Implementation of HIV/AIDS programme: A second year of implantation of an HIV/AIDS programme has completed. Activities included educational campaign, drama presentations in the communities, training of various categories of educators, reception and use of audio visual aid for education identification and care of people living with AIDS (PLAWA’s). The project coordinator with the help of some members of the Parish AIDS Committees (PAC’s), Youth Alive Clubs (YAC’s) and other interested person have identified people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. Support services are given to victims free of charge. The impact of the HIV/AIDS Project has been acknowledged by the Bolgatanga District Assembly which has offered support for PLWA’s whilst ActionAid Ghana has also supported the project with funds to take care of the PLWA’s and orphans of AIDS victims.
Improvement on community participation and inter-sectoral collaboration: Officers of the DHO attend meetings and also participate in seminars organized by the Ministry of Health (MOH), Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), National Catholic Secretarial (NCS) and others to foster closer collaboration. Clinic Management Teams also work in close harmonious collaboration with the local population for the effective functioning of the health units.
Operation of a diocesan drug store: The operation of the Diocesan Drug Store has contributed to the smooth running health since essential drugs are always made readily available. All the units are allowed to purchase drugs and make reasonable payment later. Profits accruing from the sale of drugs in a unit are deposited in the Bank Account of the unit. The money is used for daily expenditure of the unit and the payment of their utility bills.
Provision of basic equipment and infrastructure: The DHO with the support of BEGECA secure equipment, which was distributed to all the clinics to facilitate their performance. The equipment included two major bikes for Kongo and Sirigu Clinics, whilst each clinic had a set of items like a baby weighing scale, pressure cooker, steel filing cabinet, bed/ward screen, vaccine carriers, etc. A KVIP latrine has been constructed at the Kongo Clinic where a borehole has also been mechanized as well as at Binde, Wiaga and Sirigu Clinics. Two more wards and a consulting room have been constructed in addition to two bungalows at the Wiaga Clinic whilst a theatre and two more wards are under construction at Binde Clinic. The equipment has enhanced quality care delivery and patients and clients appreciate it very much. From client satisfactory survey, the quality of care given from our institutions is equal to none.
School health programme: Most of the clinics have introduced School Health Programmes within their catchment areas as part of the promoting aspects of health delivery. During the visits, the school children are inspected for hair lice, ringworms, dental problems as well as eye and ear defects. Minor ailments are treated and dewormers are also administered whilst those that need further attention are referred to the hospitals. Health education is given on personal hygiene, dental hygiene, balanced diet etc.
Staff recruitment and training: Three religious Nursing Officers were posted to the Wiaga Clinic whilst a V.S.O. Medical Officer has also been posted to Binde Clinic now a hospital. A medical Assistant (MA) was seconded to the Kongo Clinic and a Midwife to the Wiaga Clinic by the Regional Director of Health Services in recognition of the contribution the DHO is making towards health delivery. As of now, two clinics are manned by Medical Officers and three other clinics by Medical Assistants. Four sponsored Nursing Students, who successfully completed their training at the Bawku Presbyterian Nurses’ Training College, had an intensive orientation and were posted to four Health Units to augment the staffing situation. Six other sponsored Nursing Students completed their training in November, 2002. More are still under training.
Strengthening the managerial capability of the health units and diocesan health office: Most of the Health Office Units are now well staffed with experienced employees. The Diocesan Health Office structure had been recognized by all the unit heads. The various District Health Management Teams (DHMT’s) and the District Assemblies also now recognize the DHO system.
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