Alhaji Dr Ibn Ibrahim, Ashanti Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has urged health professionals to change the negative and sometimes contemptuous attitude towards patients.
They should rather be more sympathetic, humane and hospitable to them.
Dr Ibrahim was addressing an end-of-year get-together and open day celebration of the Asante-Mampong District Hospital on Tuesday.
He said the bad behavior by some health workers was ruining the image of the Service and frustrating efforts at promoting quality and accessible health care for all Ghanaians.
He said for the nation to achieve its health vision it was important that the facilities become patient-friendly.
The Regional Health Director lashed out at the misuse of official property, citing the situation where some ambulance drivers on private errands drive through traffic amidst wailing of the siren.
He called for strong leadership, teamwork and unity among the hospital staff to enhance their performance.
Dr Emmanuel Ahiable, Medical Superintendent of the Hospital, said the 143-bed capacity hospital established in 1973 has been serving people in seven districts including Sekyere Central and East, Yeji, Atebubu, Pru, Kwame Danso and Ejura-Sekyedumase.
Their vision, he said, is to provide excellent services to patients.
Dr Ahiable said Out-Patient-Department (OPD) attendance increased from 51,000 in 2008, to 64, 674 as of November 2009, with malaria topping the number of reported cases, followed by pregnancy-related-complications, hypertension and diabetes.
Maternal deaths are down to three at present from 10 in 2008.
He said a diet related clinic has been set up to help reduce lifestyle diseases.
The facility through its own internally generated funds has replaced the mortuary refrigeration at a cost of GH�35,707.00.
He appealed to the Municipal Assembly to help rehabilitate the road leading to the hospital and other worn-out facilities at the hospital.
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