The University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has reaffirmed its commitment to quality patient care amid criticism of its services, urging patients and their relatives to use the hospital’s established complaint channels when they have concerns.

The response follows criticism of the facility after Ghanaian-American comedian Michael Blackson publicly raised concerns about the care his mother received at the hospital before her death.

Speaking on JoyNews’ News Desk on Monday, August 10, Head of Public Relations and Client Services at UGMC, Barbara Hemeng, said the hospital takes concerns about patient care seriously and uses feedback to improve its services.

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“At UGMC, we truly care about our patients, and we take reviews very seriously,” she said.

Ms Hemeng also expressed sympathy to families who have lost loved ones at the facility, acknowledging the pain and distress associated with such experiences.

She explained that the hospital continuously monitors feedback from patients and their relatives to identify gaps and improve service delivery.

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However, Ms Hemeng urged patients and families not to resort to social media as their first option when dissatisfied with the care they receive, arguing that formal complaints provide the hospital with an opportunity to investigate specific concerns and take appropriate action.

“Going on social media to vent out your spleen does not help us improve upon our services. Let us all remember that UGMC is for all of us,” she said.

She encouraged patients and relatives with concerns about treatment or service delivery to lodge complaints through the hospital’s established channels to enable the relevant departments to investigate and respond appropriately.

UGMC maintains that patient feedback remains an important part of its efforts to improve the quality of care and services at the facility.