Question

Using practical examples from any Health Facility in Ghana, explain five (5) types of rules that health managers may use to maintain discipline at the workplace, and four (4) ways to ensure that the rules are maintained.

Answer 1

Ghana is a country in West Africa, where most health care facilities are provided by government and administered by Ministry of Health and Ghana Health services. There are 5 levels - health posts, health center, district hospital, regional hospital, tertiary hospital.

In rural areas, health posts provide first level of primary care but still there are no modern health care systems - lack of hospitals, patients have to rely on traditional Afrocqm medicines. In 2019 , Ghana Drone delivery services delivers drugs, medicine in remote areas , health workers can receive deliveries within 30 minutes of placing orders through text message via parachute drops

For this health care facilities the TYPE OF RULES TO BE MAINTAINED

1. Code of conduct - to maintain health care facilities in rural areas an appropriate code of conduct should be defined at workplace in order to avoid fraud , recklessness and other misconducts.

2. Zero tolerance policy - zero tolerance policy should be develop to maintain health care facilities like penalty, suspension, termination etc if there is any violation of code of conduct.

3. Clear responsibilities and accountability - the managers should clarify responsibilities and accountability of all workers, so that if there any non compliance the person can be punished.

4. Non discriminatory policy - everyone should have equal access at the workplace, no discrimination should be made on the basis of caste , gender etc

5. Stick to the policies to avoid sending mixed signals about discipline, regular monitoring, performance improvement plans taking disciplinary actions in the form Verbal warning and other strict measures will maintain health care facilities in rural areas.

4 ways to ensure rules are maintained

1. Regular monitoring on the performance of employees and prepare performance appraisal report of every employees.

2. Regular training will help employees to comply with new challenges and changes in health care facilities.

3. Maintenance of good working condition at the workplace like proper water and electricity facilities.

4. Motivating employees, having regular communication with employees helps in maintaining superior subordinate relationship and remove pressure in the employees.