The Director-General of Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, has indicated that the various health sector agencies are focused on collaborating with key stakeholders and adopting innovation to fast-track initiatives which propel the country to attaining universal health coverage.
The GHS D-G highlighted that the sector has implemented digital platforms to support its Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy – including the District Health Information Management System II (DHIMS2); a biometric vaccination registry to record vaccination data; an Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI) process; and the Human Resource Information Management System which have all worked simultaneously to improve healthcare coverage and delivery.
He further stated that despite the economic challenges, government has increased employment in the health sector significantly to address the patient/health professional ratio gap.
“Our health workforce has seen a 51.7 percent increase from 79,000 in 2021 to 120,400 – along with the promotion of 34,000 employees and 3,000 staff. Senior management appointments have also been made to strengthen our leadership. Through our flagship network of participants in global advanced organisations, GHS is transforming collaboration and building resilience within the departments,” he said.
The Deputy Minister for Health, Adelaide Ntim, reiterated government’s commitment to key areas that will fast-track progress toward universal health coverage.
These, he said, include: Advancing healthcare infrastructure development to ensure every citizen has access to the health facilities they need under Agenda 111; Strengthening the capacity of human resources for health by investing in the training, recruitment and welfare of healthcare professionals; and Promoting initiatives that provide solutions to meet the population’s changing needs.
She added that government is committed to fostering strong public-private partnerships which enhance resources and expertise for healthcare delivery.
These remarks were made at the second edition of the GHS Excellence Awards 2024, held under the theme ‘Sustaining Partnership for Effective and Efficient Healthcare Delivery’.
The deputy minister further commended awardees’ dedication and innovation in delivering essential healthcare needs to citizens.
The 2021 population census indicated that 68.6 percent of Ghana’s population is covered by either the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) or private health insurance. This is a significant increase from 2014–2015, when only about 40 percent of the population was covered by the NHIS.
Ghana defines UHC as: “All people in Ghana having timely access to high-quality health services irrespective of ability to pay at the point of use” – with increased access to quality essential health care and population-based services for all by 2030 as a stated objective.
The second GHS Excellence Awards illuminated the hearts of many as they celebrated unsung heroes in Ghana’s health sector.
The event, held at the Accra International Conference Centre, was graced by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II.
Their attendance underscored the occasion’s importance as it aimed to honour those who have made remarkable contributions to healthcare in Ghana.
The ceremony recognised outstanding individuals who have gone above and beyond in service to the community.
The Ga-Mantse, King Nii Tackie Tieko Tsuru II, in his speech said: “A nation that fails to honour its heroes is a nation dying for recognition. I take this opportunity to congratulate all awardees of the night. I encourage all traditional authorities to actively support healthcare delivery in our various communities to achieve universal health coverage, leaving no one behind,” he emphasised.
Among the many deserving awardees, Mrs. Vivian Opoku-Kyeremeh stood out by clinching the title of overall national winner in the general staff category. She walked away with a certificate, plaque, 50-inch LED smart TV, an all-expenses-paid trip abroad for two in Dubai and a brand-new saloon vehicle.
