The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has issued a firm directive banning the collection of toilet usage fees in all its health facilities across the country.
The decision, communicated through a circular dated April 16, 2025, follows mounting complaints from patients and the general public over the practice, which many viewed as exploitative and unjustified.
According to the memo signed by the Acting Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Professor Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, it had come to the Service’s attention that some public hospitals and clinics were charging patients and visitors to access washroom facilities.
This, he emphasized, was unacceptable.
“The 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,” the statement read.
It added, “The washrooms must at all times be kept clean and comfortable to prevent the risk of infection, improve perception of patient care quality, and increase patient satisfaction.”
While the specific facilities engaged in this practice were not named in the memo, the issue has been a longstanding concern among hospital users.
In recent months, several patients and their families have taken to social media and local radio stations to complain about being charged fees ranging from GH¢1 to GH¢2 just to access hospital washrooms — even in emergency situations.
Critics have argued that such charges create unnecessary financial barriers, especially for low-income patients, and go against the principles of public healthcare.
In some cases, patients reportedly had to leave hospital premises in search of cheaper alternatives, raising health and safety concerns.
In response, the GHS has tasked all Regional Directors of Health to ensure the immediate cessation of this practice.
The memo warned that failure by any facility head to comply would attract sanctions.
As part of the directive, the GHS has reminded facility managers of their responsibility to keep washrooms clean and hygienic, stating that this is not only a matter of comfort but a critical component in infection prevention and control.
