The Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Nyamekye, has called for the institutionalisation of value-based and faith-driven healthcare systems in Ghana, urging health facilities to embed Christian ethics, integrity, and compassion into every aspect of service delivery.

Speaking at the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) annual conference, themed "Sustaining Christian Identity, Values and Ethics in Health Systems", Apostle Nyamekye described healthcare as more than a profession.

He emphasised that every health worker should approach their duties as part of a sacred mission to serve humanity.

“We come together under the banner of Christ. We must recognise that your work goes beyond a mere profession. It presents a profound vocation, a divine calling, to be the source and light of the world. This call is as sacred as the work I do as a clergyman. You see, many a times we think that those who are bullied and are doing a bully job is good for nothing. It is not true. Every Christian brother, the job you do is for Christian ascent,” he said.

The Church leader stressed that faith-based institutions play a unique role in shaping the moral and spiritual foundation of Ghana’s healthcare system.

He said, “Healthcare is both a scientific enterprise and a ministry. Every policy, programme and procedure must be guided by the belief that patient care is a sacred choice and every encounter a ministry of opportunity.”

Apostle Nyamekye proposed the development of a “Christian identity framework” for health institutions, aimed at integrating Christian values into governance, recruitment, clinical practice, and patient care. He called for leadership by example, stating that administrators and staff must demonstrate integrity, empathy, and diligence in their daily responsibilities.

Highlighting collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the Church chairman said faith-based health facilities should work closely with national and professional bodies to ensure that Christian ethics and value-based leadership are embedded in both policy and practice.

He further urged institutions to adopt structured programmes for mentorship, continuous professional development, and performance evaluations that reflect not only technical competence but also moral conduct and compassion.

“This framework should cultivate a workforce that is spiritually grounded, ethically conscious, and professionally competent,” Apostle Nyamekye said, noting that such an approach would strengthen public trust in health services while improving patient outcomes.

The call comes at a time when Ghana continues to make strides in health innovation and community-based service delivery, but still faces challenges such as funding gaps, staff attrition, and rising operational costs. Apostle Nyamekye’s address underscores the importance of ethics and faith as foundational to sustainable healthcare development.

Ghana’s Christian health institutions, particularly those under CHAG, deliver a significant portion of healthcare services, especially in underserved communities. With 375 member facilities, these institutions exemplify how faith-driven healthcare can marry professionalism with empathy, offering both medical care and dignity to patients.

Apostle Nyamekye encouraged health leaders to sustain Christian identity across all levels of healthcare delivery.