Omanghana
Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has urged healthcare professionals to preserve the human connection in patient care, stressing that artificial intelligence cannot replace compassion, dignity and respect.
Speaking during an unannounced visit to the Weija-Gbawe Children’s Specialist Hospital, the Minister acknowledged that AI could ease workloads but said empathy remained an essential strength of healthcare workers.
“AI has come to ease the work we do, but AI will never have compassion for human beings,” he said.
Akandoh encouraged staff to make compassionate treatment central to their work, warning that losing this quality would weaken the distinction between human caregivers and technology.
During the visit, he directed the immediate deployment of 10 medical doctors and 30 nurses and midwives to strengthen staffing at the 120-bed hospital. The additional personnel are expected to support the expansion of services as the facility prepares to introduce inpatient care.
The hospital has already begun providing outpatient services and receiving referrals. Akandoh expressed satisfaction with the progress made and said the government was working to resolve outstanding issues involving the facility and its contractor.
The Minister also welcomed the hospital’s accreditation under the National Health Insurance Scheme and assured management of continued support to address operational challenges.
He urged staff and management to maintain the buildings and medical equipment properly, emphasizing that protecting the facility was necessary to sustain quality services for patients.
The Weija-Gbawe Children’s Specialist Hospital operates as a secondary-level referral facility, providing specialized care for newborns, children and adolescents. Its services are being expanded in phases as staffing and operational capacity increase.
Source: Omanghana
