The School of Public Health (SPH) has organised a roundtable discussion on the state of Ghana’s health sector, with a focus on financing of Public Health Emergencies in Ghana.
The roundtable, dubbed, the Dean's Inaugural Quarterly Seminar and Roundtable Discussion, featured stakeholders in the various areas of the health sector, and sought to discuss ways of bridging the gap between theory and practice.
Launching the Quarterly Seminar and Roundtable Discussion, Prof. Felix A. Asante, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Research Innovation and Development, highlighted the importance of exploring innovative ways of financing public health functions. “Health financing is not simply health insurance; it goes beyond that”, Prof. Asante said.
Prof. Felix A. Asante, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Research Innovation and Development
He lauded the School of Public Health’s contribution to Ghana’s Covid-19 response strategy and expressed Management’s appreciation to the Ministry of Health (MOH), World Health Organization and all partners, calling on them to expand the existing partnership to include provision of technical assistance of mutual interest.
Prof. Felix A. Asante indicated his anticipation to work with all development partners on implementing the recommendations from the seminar, to strengthen Ghana’s health system.
In brief remarks, Prof. Julius Fobil, Provost, College of Health Sciences, congratulated Prof. Kwasi Torpey, Dean, School of Public Health, on the expansion of the seminar series and urged all stakeholders to contribute their part to make it impactful.
Prof. Julius Fobil, Provost, College of Health Sciences
The country representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Francis Chisaka Kasolo, who chaired the event, revealed that there has been an increase in the number of public health events across the continent over the years that have led to financial impact in the various communities.
He noted the low level of health sector financing recorded in African countries as compared to that of high-income countries, which affects the delivery of essential health services. He, therefore, advocated for high level investment and political dialogue on investing and financing resilient systems, using lessons from the pandemic.
Dr. Kasolo called on the School of Public Health to play an active role in the study of streamlining the national health account which provides an avenue to learn retrospectively.
In a speech read on behalf of Hon. Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, Minister of Health, Mr. Benjamin Ampomah Nkansah, Director of the Infrastructure Department, Ministry of Health, revealed that the Ministry of Health through its agencies has developed policy frameworks for health care implementation across the country, but financing of these agencies is critical to their success.
“The Ministry of Health has advanced across the country, policy frameworks for health care implementations. The responsible agencies are supposed to provide curative, preventive, and rehabilitative health care services and promote health services. However, adequate financing of the agencies such as the Ghana Health Service, Christian Health Association of Ghana, Food and Drugs Authority and other statutory agencies that are in the health sector, is critical to health delivery for the citizenry”.
Earlier in his opening remarks, Prof. Kwasi Torpey warmly welcomed the participants and stressed the relevance of sustainable financing for public health emergencies. “In the recent past in Ghana, we have had two conditions of public health emergencies of international concern: COVID-19 and Monkey pox. Also, Ghana has had outbreaks of Yellow Fever and Marburg among many others hence advocating for sustainable financing for public health emergencies is very relevant”, Prof. Torpey said.
Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, Director, Public Health, Ghana Health Service, delivered a presentation on, “An Overview of Public Health Emergencies in Ghana”, while Dr. Osondu Ogbuoji, Assistant Professor, Duke University presented on, “Effect of Transitions on Financing Public Health Emergencies in Ghana”.
Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, Director, Public Health, Ghana Health Service
A Panel discussion on “Financing of Public Health Emergencies in Ghana”, was moderated by Dr. Dela Dovlo, from the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons. The Panelists were: Dr. Eric Nsiah Boateng, Head of Monitoring and Evaluation, Ministry of Health; Professor Patricia Akweongo, SPH, UG; Mr. Enoch Oti Agyekum, Health Economist, World bank; Dr. Koku Awoonor-Williams, Health Policy and Systems Analyst; and Dr. Samuel Kow Donkor, President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana.
This seminar series will be held once every quarter by the School of Public Health. In attendance were representatives from Ghana Health Service, Ministry of Health, Heads of Departments, and staff of SPH, members of the University community and the media fraternity.
