The status of Ghana’s Healthcare Delivery and Infrastructure

NPP-USA Deputy Communications Director, Dr. Samuel Dwomoh, has commended the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, for the great strides and achievements his government has made in healthcare since he took office in January 2017.

According to Dr. Dwomoh, “Health is life, health is wealth, and no country can attain economic and social prosperity without tackling and effecting its healthcare delivery system” because human health is a critical ingredient for national productivity.

He made this known during the fourth edition of the newly launched weekly program, “LET THE TRUTH BE TOLD SERIES” hosted by the NPP-USA branch, on Amenado Radio based in Denver, Colorado, USA, and speaking on the topic “The status of Ghana’s healthcare delivery and infrastructure”.

He stated that, though Ghana’s healthcare systems was saddled with many challenges during the erstwhile Mahama administration, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has revived the sector by delivering on his promises as documented in the NPP 2016 manifesto.

According to Dr. Dwomoh, “To  ensure that the right to health of all Ghanaians is guaranteed through an established and good health sector with sustainable ability to deliver affordable, equitable, and easily accessible healthcare”, the former president, J A Kufuor’s government was very instrumental and innovative in initiating the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). The NHIS which has been the backbone of Ghana’s healthcare delivery and the vision of healthcare coverage for all Ghanaians by the year 2030. NHIS is one of the greatest social intervention Ghana has had in addition to our current Free SHS initiated by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government.

The NPP-USA Deputy Communications Director explained that Nana Addo’s government has revived the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) by paying off the over GH¢1.2 billion NHIS debt inherited from the John Mahama’s administration, and implemented the national health insurance card that can be renewed via mobile phones. He praised the current government for truly being on the right path and enumerated some healthcare achievements as follows:

• Restoration of nursing training allowances
• Employment of 541 health professionals in February 2018 of which 206 are junior doctors
• Employing over 750+ midwifes, and 180 Doctors who completed their housemanship 10 months ago
• Strengthening of the community health planning services
  • Expansion of Ambulance Services with 275 ambulances on the way
• Introduction of drone delivery technology at Omenako & Mampong into our healthcare system to deliver emergency supplies and drugs to less accessible areas.
• Reducing cost of nursing training admission forms from GH¢ 160 to GH¢ 100
• GHC 31 million arrears due persons with disabilities and HIV patients outstanding since 2015 paid.
• “Test and treat” policy implemented to instantly enroll persons diagnosed with HIV unto the antiretroviral medication treatment.
• In 2019, approval and financial clearance was given to employ 54,892 health professionals all over Ghana
• Improvement in physician density, and nursing and midwifery personnel density. Although Ghana falls short of WHO’s recommended minimum threshold of twenty-three doctors, nurses, and midwives per 10,000 population, it is almost one and over nine, respectively.

The NPP-USA Deputy Communications Director also indicated that; to develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient health infrastructure in line with SDG 9.1, the following health infrastructure are at various stages of completion:

• Phase I of the University of Ghana Medical Centre began operations and Parliamentary approval granted for a USD$50 Million for completion of Phase II.
• Construction and equipping of 10 polyclinics in the Central Region at Bisease, Gomoa Dawurampong, Akunfude, Etsii Sunkwa, Odoben Gyamera, Biriwa, Ekumfi Naakwa, Mankrong, Bimpong Egya and Gomoa Potsin. Works have been completed and commissioned for use.
• Construction and equipping five polyclinics in the Greater Accra Region at Adenta 82 percent, Ashaiman 80 percent, Bortiano 78 percent, Oduman 85 percent and Sege 82 percent; and
• The Wa Regional Hospital, Nkawkaw District Hospital and Atomic Hospital
• are scheduled for completion by the end of the year.
• Four district hospitals at Twifo
• Praso, Tepa, Konongo, Salaga and one Regional Hospital at Sewua. 
• Construction of seven district hospitals; and provision of an integrated IT system at Dodowa, Sekondi, Fomena, Garu Tempani, Kumawu, Abetifi and Takoradi European Hospital and Bekwai
• district hospital;
• Four district hospital projects at Sawla, Tolon, Somanya, Buipe and a polyclinic at Bamboi; construction of Axim hospital; and rehabilitation of Effia-Nkwanta emergency, maternity and children’s block.

The NPP government, as part of measures to improve health infrastructure at the primary health care level, the Ministry of Health, also  accelerated the construction of 15 CHPS Compounds as follows: 

• Greater Accra Region–two; 
• Brong-Ahafo Region – five; 
• Ashanti Region – two; 
• Eastern Region – three and 
• Western Region – three.

Dr. Dwomoh also commended the first lady, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo Addo on her efforts in improving healthcare through her foundation.

Through ”Save the Child, Save the Mother” project, she has established both a Mother and Baby Unit (MBU) and a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. It was sponsored by the foundation together with the Multimedia Group and The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and supported by the Manhyia Palace and the Government of Japan. The project was geared towards reducing maternal and infant mortality.

In June, 2019 Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo also presented six ambulances to some healthcare organizations to enhance the delivery of their services.  

Dr. Dwomoh, in conclusion, stressed that Ghanaians should continue to have faith in the government of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and throw their support by giving him four (4 ) more years to fully complete all the innovations and policies being implemented. Dr. Dwomoh also said that even as the Government is doing its part in improving the national healthcare standard, individuals also have a part to play in adopting healthy lifestyles that includes: eating healthy, drinking plenty of water or water-based fluids, exercising regularly for at least 30 minutes a day, smoking cessation, drinking alcohol in moderation, reducing salt and sugar intake, and maintaining a healthy body weight so as to achieve great health benefits as a nation.

By: NPP-USA Communications Directorate