In the spirit of partnership and deepening collaboration, the leadership of the Ghana Adventist Health Services of the Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA) has paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, and affirm their commitment to partner government for the completion of some Agenda 111 projects across the country.
The delegation, led by Dr. James Antwi, presented a proposal outlining four key areas of focus, including trauma care, holistic wellness, oncology and cancer treatment, as well as rehabilitation and health services. The proposal seeks to position the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church as a strategic partner in strengthening healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved communities.
During the engagement, the Minister for Health emphasized the need for collaboration, noting that government alone cannot meet the growing demands of the health sector. He called on faith-based institutions, including the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), and the private sector to support the completion and operationalisation of Agenda 111 facilities.
Hon. Akandoh commended the SDA Church for its longstanding contribution to healthcare delivery, especially in deprived areas, and expressed appreciation for its continued commitment. He pledged government’s support to guide partners willing to invest in completing the Agenda 111 facilities, adding that such partnerships would not require financial contributions to government but rather direct support towards project completion.
He further encouraged CHAG and private sector players to identify specific projects and areas of interest, stating that government would provide the necessary direction to ensure successful delivery.
The Minister also reiterated his firm stance on ensuring that doctors accept postings to designated areas to improve healthcare delivery nationwide. He disclosed that the Government intends to construct six regional hospitals in the newly created regions. In line with this, provision has been made for the construction of three of the six regional hospitals this year, with the remaining three scheduled for construction next year 2027.
The Minister further disclosed that the Government is constructing two cardiology centres in Tamale and at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital to expand access to specialised cardiac care. He added that the cardiac catheterisation laboratory (Cath Lab) at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital was recently installed and commissioned by the President.
Highlighting broader health sector reforms, Hon. Akandoh noted that government has introduced three major intervention,the Free Primary Healthcare initiative, the uncapping of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and the Ghana Medical Care Trust Fund, to accelerate progress towards achieving Universal Health Coverage by 2030.
The meeting marks a significant step towards enhanced collaboration between government and faith-based health institutions in delivering quality and accessible healthcare across Ghana.
source:www.senaradioonline.com
