By Joyce Kantam Kolamong
The Ministry of Health has outlined its plan to revamp the country’s healthcare system, with a strong focus on strengthening healthcare infrastructure. According to the Director of Technical Coordination at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Hafez Adam Taher, this initiative involves constructing new hospitals, renovating existing ones, and equipping facilities with modern technology.
Speaking at the 2025 annual performance review of the Tamale Teaching Hospital in Tamale, Dr. Taher emphasized that the ultimate goal is to achieve universal health coverage, ensuring that every citizen has access to quality healthcare services regardless of their background or socioeconomic status.
To support this goal, the government is investing in the training and continuous development of healthcare workers. Recognizing the importance of a well-trained and motivated workforce in delivering high-quality care, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) is also being expanded to increase access to healthcare services. A key focus of this expansion is ensuring prompt reimbursement to service providers.
Dr. Taher highlighted the “Mahama Cares” initiative, launched by the Minister for Health, as part of efforts to provide financial support to vulnerable populations. While details of the initiative are still emerging, he indicated that it has the potential to address the significant issue of healthcare affordability in the country.
Hospital Achievements and Challenges
Chief Executive Officer of the Tamale Teaching Hospital, Dr. Adam Atiku, highlighted significant strides the hospital has made in improving healthcare outcomes. He noted that the hospital recorded a 28% reduction in maternal mortality, dropping from 79 cases in 2023 to 57 in 2024. Additionally, there was a 17% decrease in all-cause mortalities in the Paediatrics and Child Health Department.
Dr. Atiku credited the hospital’s collaboration with development partners, such as AMPATH Ghana and the Wessex Global Stroke Partnership, for these improvements. These partnerships have enabled the establishment of specialized units, such as the Stroke Unit, and provided advanced training for healthcare professionals.
Research and innovation, he said, remain key areas of focus for the hospital. Various studies and projects are underway, demonstrating the institution’s commitment to improving healthcare outcomes and advancing medical knowledge.
However, despite these promising initiatives, Dr. Atiku acknowledged that challenges persist. Chronic water shortages, unstable power supply, and financial burdens continue to strain the hospital’s resources. Nevertheless, he expressed optimism that with the government’s commitment and the support of development partners, these challenges can be overcome.
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