Accra, July 13, GNA - Nii Armah Ashietey, Greater Accra Regional Minister on Tuesday said as part of the strategies to enhance access to effective and efficient health care delivery, government would deepen the concept of Primary Health Care.

He explained that this would be undertaken through focusing more on the Community Based Health Planning Services (CHPS) concept, which was close to the clients, and strengthening of the referral system in the health sector.

"Government would continue to work with the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies and other stakeholders to increase the number of functional CHPS and upgrade the skills of Community Health Personnel," he added.

Nii Ashietey was launching the merged Ridge Hospital Out-Patient-Department (OPD) at Adabraka Polyclinic in Accra. The merger is to reduce congestion at Ridge Hospital and maximise the use of Adabraka Polyclinic for the benefit of clients. He gave the assurance that government would continue to place emphasis on strengthening district health information system to improve health information.

Nii Ashietey said the acute water problem at the Ridge Hospital had been solved with the provision of a borehole, which would be extended to other health facilities in the Region.

He announced that in collaboration with the Minister of Energy more security and street lights would be provided around the polyclinic before the end of the year, while a car park and a waiting room would be constructed at the polyclinic.

Professor Irene Agyepong, Greater Accra Regional Director of Health Services said, in 2009, Ridge Hospital OPD recorded 300,000 patients and the only way to solve the problem was to merge the hospital with the polyclinic. In addition, the merger would improve quality of health care delivery and patient satisfaction. Nii Tetteh Adjaben, Adabraka Mantse, urged the media to publicise the merger for clients to patronize the polyclinic. He urged management of the polyclinic to build confidence in patients who seek health care in the facility.