The Health Facility Regulatory Agency (HEFRA) has presented a three-year provisional license to the Effia Nwkanta Regional Hospital in Sekondi after the hospital satisfied the standard licensing requirements of the regulatory body. The presentation of the license signifies Effia Nkwanta’s commitment and success in going through the regulatory body’s assessment processes. The processes are critical in ensuring health facilities maintain and improve standards for quality healthcare.
Before a license is obtained, a facility must first apply with HEFRA after which assessors from the Agency will inspect to check readiness of the hospital to operate. The Agency will then review recommendations from the assessors after the inspection to issue an initial three year license for the facility to operate while they monitor to determine the adequacy and standard of healthcare provided. In accordance with section 4(d) of 2011 (Act 829).
Assessors from the regulatory body have been scrutinizing the regional hospital since the hospital applied in 2019 taking into consideration healthcare delivery and sanitary practices at the various wards and of the entire facility. They also take into consideration the equipment stock, measures in place for the running of the facility including staff attendance, Infection prevention control protocols among other aspects.
Many health facilities have abandoned the processes citing a number of difficulties. HEFRA is mandated to close down health facilities which fail to meet their standards. Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital is working assiduously to meet the remaining standards for the issuance of a permanent license.