AI Can Assist Healthcare, But Cannot Replace Compassion- Health Minister
The Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has urged health professionals to keep compassion, dignity, and respect at the heart of patient care, stressing that no technological advancement can replace the human connection that defines healthcare.
Speaking during an unannounced visit to the Weija-Gbawe Children’s Specialist Hospital, the Minister said that although Artificial Intelligence (AI) helps ease the workload of health professionals, it can never show compassion to patients.
“AI has come to ease the work we do, but AI will never have compassion for human beings. That is our strength. If we lose that, there will not be any difference between us and AI,” he said.
Hon. Akandoh expressed satisfaction with the commencement of operations at the facility and directed the immediate deployment of 10 medical doctors and 30 nurses and midwives to strengthen the workforce and support the expansion of services.
The Minister also urged management and staff to maintain the facility and equipment to the required standards.
He welcomed the hospital’s accreditation under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and assured management of the Ministry’s continued support to address outstanding challenges and ensure quality care for patients.
The Acting Medical Superintendent, Dr Nana Okine Brago, said the hospital, which has a capacity of about 120 beds, commenced operations on August 17, 2026, and operates as a secondary-level referral centre, indicating that preparations were underway to introduce inpatient services as additional health personnel were deployed.
The visit forms part of the Ministry’s efforts to assess health facilities, identify operational challenges and ensure that public health infrastructure is fully utilised to improve access to quality healthcare and patient outcomes.
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