The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has issued a strong directive banning the charging of fees for the use of washrooms in all its healthcare facilities across the country.
This announcement, dated April 16, 2025, follows complaints about patients and visitors being charged to use hospital toilets—a practice the Service describes as unacceptable and exploitative.
In a press release signed by the Acting Director-General, Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, the GHS expressed concern over the trend.
“Washrooms are an integral part of the hospital infrastructure intended to provide comfort for patients and visitors and should not be used as avenues for exploitation,” he stated.
He stressed the importance of keeping washrooms clean and accessible at all times. “They must be kept clean and comfortable to prevent the risk of infection, improve perception of patient care quality, and increase patient satisfaction.”
Regional Directors have been directed to ensure that this practice ends immediately. Prof. Akoriyea further warned, “Failure by facility heads to adhere to this directive will attract sanctions.”
Heads of health facilities are expected to strictly comply with the directive as the GHS moves to restore dignity and comfort to patients and caregivers alike.
