World Health Organization urges strengthened supervision, documentation in HIV, TB and Malaria care

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for stronger supervision, program support, and improved documentation across health facilities in Ghana, following findings that revealed significant disparities in the quality of care between public and private facilities and across health service areas.

Speaking to journalists at a one-day media training in Accra ahead of the national launch and dissemination of Ghana’s first Quality of Care (QoC) Report, Dominic Kwabena Atweam, National Professional Officer for Strategic Health Information Systems at WHO Ghana, said while some health programs such as HIV and Tuberculosis (TB) have achieved commendable performance, other areas like antenatal, malaria, and child health services showed weaker documentation and inconsistent adherence to clinical protocols.

“HIV and TB services recorded stronger documentation and adherence largely because they are well-programmed and benefit from consistent funding support from global partners such as the Global Fund,” he noted.

“However, for other essential services, we observed gaps that point to the need for sustained program supervision and accountability.”

According to Mr. Atweam, the findings highlighted systematic differences between public and private facilities as well as between higher-level hospitals and lower-level care settings.

He explained that while larger hospitals and polyclinics generally performed better in documenting patient data and following care guidelines, community-based and smaller facilities lagged behind.

Providing a snapshot of the data, he noted; Antenatal Care (ANC): Documentation of blood pressure measurement and iron-folate supplementation was strong, while early antenatal contact documentation remained low at 47%.

Malaria: Core assessment documentation and temperature measurements were well captured, but 40% of malaria cases were treated without a documented positive test result — a clear breach of the “test and treat” policy.

HIV and TB: High performance was recorded in HIV testing, ART initiation, and TB diagnosis, though gaps persisted in documenting pre-ART preparation and condom provision, which stood at only 4%.

Postnatal Care (PNC): About 58% of client records were properly documented, with early infant diagnosis and ART initiation coverage showing room for improvement.

Mr. Atweam emphasized that these gaps, particularly in documentation, directly affect the accuracy of national health data and the ability to monitor progress toward universal health coverage.

“We must reflect on how sustained program supervision and consistent data use can improve service quality. Documentation isn’t just paperwork — it’s the backbone of accountability and health system improvement,” he said.

Delivering a statement on behalf of Dr. Fiona Braka, WHO Representative in Ghana; Dr. Uzoma Ajegbo, Programme Management Officer at WHO Ghana, said the session followed the official launch of the National Quality of Care Report held on November 20, 2025.

Dr. Ajegbo explained that the HHFA project evaluates how health providers adhere to established standards during service delivery, focusing on the actual processes of care across facilities nationwide.

The findings, she noted, reflect a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service, and development partners, with WHO providing technical support to ensure robust and nationally representative evidence on the quality of clinical care.

"As members of the media, your role is essential. You are the bridge between technical evidence and public understanding,” Dr. Ajegbo said. “How this evidence is reported and disclosed will influence how policy makers, professionals, and the public perceive and respond to the findings.”

She added that the engagement was part of a broader effort to move from measurement to improvement — ensuring that data collected not only informs decisions but also drives collective action toward stronger health service delivery.

Reaffirming WHO’s continued partnership with the Government of Ghana, Dr. Ajegbo underscored the organization’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote equity, quality, and accountability across the health system.

“WHO remains fully committed to working with the government and partners to advance health outcomes for all Ghanaians,” she stated.

The Communications Officer of the World Health Organization (WHO) Ghana, Abdul-Lahie Abdul-Rahim Naa, has cautioned journalists and media practitioners against the use of emotional and misleading language in their reportage, particularly when dealing with sensitive public health issues.

He said while it is understandable that journalists often face pressure to make their stories appealing to editors and audiences, accuracy and context must always take precedence over sensationalism.

Mr. Abdul-Rahim Naa made the call when he addressed participants at a one-day Media Training Workshop organized by WHO Ghana ahead of the national launch and dissemination of Ghana’s first Quality of Care (QoC) Report in Accra.

He explained that journalists sometimes use emotionally charged or misleading expressions to gain editorial approval or to compete for attention in a crowded media environment.

However, such practices, he cautioned, can distort facts and undermine the credibility of health communication.

“Sometimes, in our attempt to get our health stories noticed by editors, we end up using emotional or misleading language to make them sound more dramatic,” he said.

“Yes, your story might get published, but it doesn’t help us achieve the real goal of promoting truth and understanding in public health communication.”

Mr. Abdul-Rahim Naa emphasized the importance of context in interpreting and reporting health data. He noted that data alone does not tell the full story unless journalists take the time to understand and explain the circumstances behind it.

"Every piece of data has a context,” he stressed.

“If you provide that context, your story becomes more meaningful and accurate. Without it, the data can be misinterpreted or even used to mislead the public.”

Drawing on his own background in journalism, he acknowledged that newsroom competition and editorial priorities often influence story selection.

However, he urged reporters to remain guided by ethical principles and responsible communication.

“As journalists, we know that editors prioritize stories based on prominence, novelty, and oddity,” he said. “But even within those pressures, we must ensure that our reporting is factual, balanced, and not misleading. Public trust in the media depends on this.”

The workshop, organized by the WHO Country Office in Ghana, seeks to build the capacity of journalists and communication professionals to interpret and communicate health evidence more accurately.

It aims to ensure that media coverage of the upcoming Quality of Care (QoC) Report and other health-related issues is informative, factual, and impactful.

Through the training, WHO Ghana hopes to strengthen collaboration with the media in promoting responsible health communication, supporting national efforts to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes across the country.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith