The need has been stressed for a dedicated Health Service that is positioned for everyone to deliver in order for people to access essential health services whilst expanding toward universal coverage for improved livelihoods for all.
The Deputy Director General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Anthony Adofo Ofosu who made the call equally announced that by the end of June 2020, all districts in the country will have new pick-ups to support service delivery. He indicated that the provision of the pick-ups is in line with the Ghana Health Service’s scheme of things to provide each district a means of transport.
Dr. Ofosu was speaking at the 2019 annual Health sector performance review conference of the Upper West Region in Wa where he deputised for the Director General of GHS, Patrick Kuma-Aboagye.
Touching on the novel Coronavirus (Covid-19), Deputy Director General of GHS stated that Ghana is well prepared to tackle the disease as the Service continues to work with the Ministry of Health and some partners to prevent and protect the country against the importation of the virus.
Dr Ofosu indicated that comprehensive systems have been put in place to handle cases should there be any case in the country.
He mentioned training of port health staff to screen passengers at the Kotoka International Airport ( KIA) as well as teams at Tema and Ridge hospitals to handle suspected COVID-19 Patients.
Dr Ofosu stressed the necessity for the GHS to address the public perception of poor quality of care, especially in relation to emergencies which he observed still remains a concern.
The Deputy Upper West Regional Minister, Amidu Chinnia Issahaku touched on the theme of the conference, “Improving maternal and new-born care through quality healthcare delivery”, and stated that it could not have come at a better time considering the rate at which neonatal mortality continues to increase.
The Deputy Regional Minister observed that the rise in neonatal mortality per 1000 live births in 2018 from 6.1 to 8.8 in 2019 calls for concerns among all stakeholders.
He pointed out that while maternal mortality rate in Upper West has slightly improved within the year under review (2019) from 22 to 18 deaths, it still continues to be at the forefront of the health service delivery.
Mr issahaku told the participants that whilst government is working tirelessly to surmount the challenges within the health sector, health workers should not make things difficult for the sector.
A Health Promotion Expert, CHPS for Life Project, Ms Tomoko Watanabe called for a continuous collaboration to further improve the health sector.
The Upper West Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Osei Kuffour Afreh, commented on improving access to healthcare at the community level through the community-based health planning and services (CHPS).
He said in 2019, the Upper West Region made 46 additional non-functional CHIPS zones functional out of 391 demarcated zones.
He said the figure represents 85.9% functional CHIPS zones. Dr Afreh stated that 13 new CHIPS compound were added to the existing compounds.
Commenting on the achievement made in connection with the CHIPS compounds, he noted that it is a result of effective collaboration with Japanese International Cooperation Agency ( JICA) and Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs) through capacity building, development and adherence to Health Integrated Action Plans for the various districts under the CHIPS-FOR-LIFE project.
Story by: Emmanuel Mensah-Abludo.
