Preamble
In his Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium - The Joy of the Gospel (2013), Pope Francis writes, under Fidelity to the Gospel, lest we run in vain (p. 97): “We incarnate the duty of hearing the cry of the poor when we are deeply moved by the suffering of others. Let us listen to what God’s word teaches us about mercy, and allow that word to resound in the life of the Church. The Gospel tells us: “Blessed are the merciful, because they shall obtain mercy” (Mt 5:7). The apostle James teaches that our mercy to others will vindicate us on the day of God’s judgment: “So speak and act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy, yet mercy triumphs over judgment” (Jas 2:12-13).
The Catholic Church’s Healthcare Ministry which is deeply rooted in a commitment to promote and defend human dignity, the foundation of its teaching to respect the sacredness of every human life from conception to natural death aligns with this call of Pope Francis. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person – among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life (CCC, 2270). Indeed, the right to life, involves a right to the means for the proper development of life, such as adequate healthcare (CCC, 2288).
Who We Are
Diocesan Health Service, Koforidua, is the Health Directorate of the Catholic Diocese of Koforidua. The Bishop being the final authority in all matters of the Diocese, constitutes a health service board, otherwise known as the Diocesan Health Service Board. The membership of this Board is made of accomplished professionals from various backgrounds of expertise including but not limited to – medical doctor, pharmacist, lawyer, social worker. The religious organizations that founded hospitals and clinics in the Diocese are also represented on this Board under the chairmanship of the Vicar General. The secretary of this Board also doubles as the Diocesan Director of the DHS, Koforidua which oversees the daily administration of all healthcare issue in the Diocese.
The DHS, Koforidua, is a not-for-profit religious organization. It acts as a supporting voice, on the directives of the Bishop through the Board, seeking to promote the Catholic Church’s principles and teachings on healthcare. The Directorate, located at the Diocesan Pastoral and Training Center (DPTC), Koforidua, coordinates all health-related issues and the administration of all the hospitals, clinics, training colleges and other health institutions within the Catholic Diocese of Koforidua and the Donkorkrom Apostolic Vicariate.
Primarily, we are concerned about the healthcare needs, especially, of the poor and the most vulnerable among the Christ Faithful of the Catholic Diocese of Koforidua. We endeavor to prevent, cure and manage all forms of diseases among the Christ Faithful.
Our Vision
“Evangelizing through self-reliance"
The vision translated into the three local languages used in the diocese, Akan, Ewe and Krobo, shall be disseminated throughout the diocese to galvanize, efforts of all in the diocese towards this common vision.
The DHS, Koforidua, working within the Catholic Health Service Trust - GH ultimately is a health service that is best in meeting patients’ needs and expectations
Mission Statement
We are the Catholic Diocese of Koforidua who brings Christ to all people in the Diocese by preaching the word of God, administering the sacraments and by providing quality education, health, humanitarian and other social services.
To provide high quality healthcare in the most effective and efficient way specific to the communities we serve and at all times acknowledging the dignity of patients.
Values
Commitment - Having the passion to achieve results, dedication, selflessness, determination and enthusiasm.
Faith in God - Belief in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, total dependency on the providence of God.
Faithfulness - Being loyal to the course of evangelization through self-reliance.
Family Spirit - Collaboration between clergy and lay persons, mutual support for each other.
Honesty - Being sincere, transparent and accountable for all resources received.
Operational Objectives (Goals)
- To strengthen and promote commitment to Christ’s healing mission enshrined in the Catholic Church’s teachings on healthcare, and as engraved in the Vision Statement.
- To coordinate the daily administration and management of all the health facilities within the Catholic Diocese of Koforidua.
- To ensure that all the health facilities within the Catholic Diocese of Koforidua are managed according to the mind and vision of the Bishop.
- To collaborate with the healthcare professionals working within all the facilities of the Diocese to advance the course of providing quality services to patients.
- To effectively manage the human resources available, in collaboration with the Head Office of the Catholic Health Service Trust - GH through the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) to ensure continuity of service provision for the good of patients.
- To ensure that all newly recruited senior staff within the Diocesan Health Service, Koforidua are duly oriented. Also, that these senior staff are duly promoted to their rightful grades and most importantly on time.
Management
- Under the dominion and control of the Catholic Bishop of Koforidua.
- Diocesan Health Service Board under the chairmanship of the Vicar General
- Diocesan Health Service Director for the daily administration of the Directorate and also the secretary of the Board.
- Office Management (Administrative Manager)
- Human Resource Management (HR Manager)
- DHS Working Team - A Medical Doctor (Clinical Care & Public Health); Deputy Director of Nursing Services (Nursing Care); Human Resource Manager (HR Issues); Health Information (Data Management); Allied Health Person (Allied Health); Chartered Accountant (Finance & Accounts), and Media Person (Digital Strategist)
Financing & Budgeting
Healthcare financing arguably is the most challenging dimension of the delivery system. In simple terms, it deals with the provision of adequate financial resources for the smooth delivery of quality health services. The DHS, Koforidua, is not a Budget Management Center (BMC) and therefore runs with Government of Ghana (GOG) staff on secondment. All the officers working for the Directorate are on the Controller and Accountant General’s Payroll.
The various health facilities under the Directorate provide assistance in the form of payment of annual quota for the running of the Directorate.
List of Health Facilities
- Hospitals
- St. Dominic Catholic Hospital, Akwatia
- St. Joseph Catholic Hospital, Effiduase-Koforidua
- St. Martin De Porres Catholic Hospital, Agomanya
- Holy Family Catholic Hospital, Nkawkaw
- Clinics
- St. John Catholic Polyclinic, Akim Ofoase
- St. Michael Catholic Clinic and Maternity, Akim Ntronang
- St. Monica Catholic Clinic and Maternity, Akim Sekyere
- St. Joseph Catholic Clinic and Maternity, Kwahu-Tafo
- Catholic Clinic and Maternity, Akim Swedru
- Notre Dame Catholic Clinic and Maternity, Adoagyire Nsawam
- Holy Spirit Catholic Polyclinic, Kwasi Fante
- Holy Rosary Health Center, Amankwakrom
- St. Peter Catholic Clinic and Maternity, Akrofufu
- Health Training College
- Holy Family Nurses’ and Midwifery Training College, Nkawkaw
- Brother Tarcisius Catholic Prosthetics and Orthotics Training College
- Special Health Centers
- Orthopedic Catholic Training Center, Adoagyire Nsawam
Ag. Director: Rev. Fr. Ebenezer Kenneth Abban, PhD
Date: 22nd July, 2025 (Feast of Mary Magdalene)
