The Health Facilities Regulatory Agency (HeFRA) says it will begin enforcing disability access requirements across all hospitals and clinics in Ghana as part of its renewed regulatory drive.
Registrar of the agency, Dr. Winfred Korletey Baah, revealed on Business Edge on Metro TV that although the rule has existed for years, it has not been strictly implemented.
“Every facility must be disability friendly,” he said..
“Although it has not really been enforced, now we are going to enforce that.”
Pressed by host Kwasi Afriyie on why enforcement had been delayed despite the clear legal mandate, Dr. Baah admitted the agency had been evolving and was now ready to fully apply the standards.
“HeFRA has been in evolution,” he said.
“But we’ve got to a point where we have to enforce all those. We are enforcing it now.”
Under HeFRA’s licensing requirements, every health facility must submit a detailed block plan showing that people with disabilities can easily access the premises, including entryways and emergency exits.
“Before we give you [a licence], you must show us that if somebody who has a disability comes, they will be able to access your facility easily,” Dr. Baah explained.
He added that these design considerations are part of a broader set of safety and quality measures, including fire certificates, environmental assessments, and proper waste disposal systems.
The Registrar stressed that the agency’s goal is not to frustrate operators but to ensure that all health facilities in Ghana are safe, inclusive, and patient-friendly.
“This healthcare we are talking about is human life,” he said.
“When one life is lost, there’s nothing you can do to bring it back.”
The agency says it will begin conducting unannounced inspections to verify compliance as it intensifies efforts to protect patients and promote equal access to care.
