Ghana Health Service told to ensure safety of medical measuring instruments

The Ghana Standards Board (GSB) has asked the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to insist on regular calibration of medical measuring instruments used by the health facilities.

These include clinical thermometers, sphygmomanometers, weighing scales, medical fridges, blood banks and ovens.

Mr Paul Date, Head of the GSB’s Scientific Metrology, said this was necessary to provide accurate measurement and diagnostic results to assure better medical treatment and improved quality health delivery.

Mr Paul Date, Head of Scientific Metrology of the GSB, noted that a chunk of instruments in many health facilities nationwide tended to give inaccurate medical results due to the faulty nature of such equipment.

He was delivering a paper at a public lecture on certification and measurements organized by the GSB in Kumasi on Tuesday.

The workshop was aimed at helping to raise awareness and promote the relevance of “Standards and Conformity Assessment” as tools to improve market access.

It also provided the platform for knowledge sharing to aid the transfer of technology, good business practices and sustainable economic growth.

Mr Date said certification and metrology were crucial for quality assurance, reduction in measurement errors and fatalities in the medical field.

The GSB Head of Marketing, Mr Emmanuel Okyere Asante, said that the Board would continue to assist government departments, local authorities and other public agencies in the preparation of specifications required by them for quality performance and increased productivity.

Source: GNA