Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has directed all directors at the headquarters, regional and district levels, as well as departmental heads, to strictly enforce the wearing of approved uniforms and visible name tags by health workers in public health facilities nationwide.
The directive was issued during his working visit to the Catholic Hospital at Battor, where he assessed operations at the facility’s Cervical Cancer Treatment and Training Centre. According to Dr Kaba, the move is aimed at strengthening professionalism, accountability, and patient safety across the health sector.
He explained that the measure is necessary to prevent impersonation and protect both patients and health personnel. The decision follows a recent incident at the Mambrobi Polyclinic in Accra, where a woman allegedly posed as a nurse and stole a baby after pretending to administer medication.
Dr Kaba noted that proper identification would help prevent similar occurrences and restore public confidence in the health system. He added that visible name tags enhance service delivery by making it easier for patients to identify health professionals, thereby promoting transparency and professional conduct.
“When patients know your name and you are aware that they know you, you are more likely to be professional in your service delivery,” he stated.
Describing the practice as an international standard, he pointed out that in hospitals abroad, nurses and doctors are appropriately dressed with visible identification, particularly in specialised units where scrubs and name tags are mandatory.
He further emphasised that proper identification protects health workers by deterring impersonators and improving security within health facilities. Staff were also encouraged to wear GHS-branded attire during official travel, as proper identification commands respect and recognition.
“Our uniform identifies us, gives us privilege, and protects us. We must take pride in our profession and safeguard its integrity,” Dr Kaba said.
Atsu Dodor, Volta Regional Director of Health Services, welcomed the directive and pledged his support to ensure full compliance across health facilities in the region.
