Hospital management must take responsibility for facility standards – Former UGMC CEO

Former University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) CEO Dr Darius Osei has called on hospital managers to shoulder more responsibility for maintaining their facilities and ensuring a positive patient experience. He believes that a hospital's performance is determined by the quality of leadership, rather than waiting for the central government to intervene in operational matters.

Comparing a hospital to a hotel, Dr Osei emphasized that patients expect a clean, comfortable environment while seeking treatment. He stressed that hospital administrators are responsible for providing not only effective treatment but also a pleasant atmosphere for patients. According to him, the proper functioning of a hospital hinges on strong leadership, and managers should prioritize cleanliness, organization, and patient satisfaction.

Dr Osei argued that quality healthcare management does not always require abundant resources; rather, it depends on effectively utilizing what is available. He questioned why issues such as overgrown grass or damaged equipment should automatically fall under the jurisdiction of the central government, instead suggesting that hospital managers should take responsibility for these maintenance tasks.