Nyaho Medical Centre, Ghana

Signatory since 2021

Nyaho Medical Centre is Ghana’s oldest group medical practice. It was founded in 1970, directly inspired by the Mayo Clinic’s example of team-based health care. As a private hospital, Nyaho balances the twin goals of supporting public health and managing a viable business. Elikem Tamaklo, MD, is its managing director. Also see IFC’s case study on Nyaho.

 

BECOMING A SIGNATORY

DR. TAMAKLO: Being a signatory to EPICH gives us the opportunity to be part of a dedicated group of global health care providers and investors in championing integrity and ethical practice in the health care community in Africa. We continue to engage with all internal stakeholders, especially our employees, on the importance of applying the EPIHC Principles in our business. We are showcasing our signatory status through news releases and communications material to drive awareness of the EPIHC Principles. We also plan to take all opportunities to learn best practices from other members, as well as from key thought leaders. Personally, I believe that through the collective effort of key stakeholders across the healthcare community, organisations will be better positioned to deliver consistent quality care to patients, especially in developing countries. It is a privilege to champion ethical practices in healthcare. The principles are completely aligned to Nyaho’s mission of transforming the lives of patients by surpassing expectations and inspirating hope for a better Africa.

 

THE PRINCIPLES

#1 Respecting Laws and Regulations

DR. TAMAKLO: This principle is very important to us. It affects our ability, as a leading private healthcare facility, to build and maintain trust with all key stakeholders, such as our Board of Directors, our employees, our patients, and the government.

#5 Making a Positive Contribution to Society

DR. TAMAKLO: Making a positive contribution to society is another key aspect of our business. We have the Nyaho Dove Foundation, through which we conduct health programs that support the wider community. The Foundation works in four specific areas: We support improving access to health by conducting periodic medical outreach and social intervention programs; improving quality of care by supporting knowledge sharing and education through our annual healthcare forum; increasing the number of family physicians in Ghana through family physician training that we offer; and supporting new advances and treatments In healthcare by making research and development an important part of our work.

 

ASSESSING AND EVALUATING PROGRESS

DR. TAMAKLO: All healthcare organisations need to ensure that their people understand how these ethical principles relate to day-to-day practices. We also need to develop agreed metrics around each principle that can be monitored and evaluated as part of the success factors for the organisation.