GHIMA warns against hiring unlicensed health information staff

The Ghana Health Information Management Association (GHIMA) has cautioned healthcare facilities nationwide against the employment of unlicensed and unqualified personnel to manage patient health data. According to the association, this growing practice poses a significant threat to patient safety and the overall quality of healthcare delivery in Ghana. GHIMA stressed that the integrity of medical records is non-negotiable, as inaccurate data can lead to life-threatening errors in clinical settings.

GHIMA President, Richard Delali Ahedor, emphasized that health information is the backbone of clinical decision-making and the monitoring of healthcare interventions. He noted that without accurate and professionally managed data, clinicians lack the reliable evidence needed to provide optimal care. The association highlighted that the Health Professions Regulatory Bodies Act mandates that only licensed professionals should be tasked with health information management, and any deviation from this law undermines the regulatory framework of the health sector.

Moving forward, the association has urged the heads of all healthcare facilities to verify the credentials of their data management staff and ensure they are properly licensed. GHIMA also called on government agencies and the Ministry of Health to prioritize the recruitment of qualified health information professionals. By adhering to these standards, the association believes the health sector can better protect patient records and improve the reliability of national health statistics for policy planning.