RESETTING GHANA’S Healthcare syst; NDC’s Manifesto on Health

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has outlined a transformative manifesto aimed at addressing existing challenges and positioning Ghana as a leader in healthcare delivery across Africa. This was done at the launch of it’s manifesto which took place at the University of Winneba, last Saturday August 24th 2024. The proposed policies prioritize affordability, infrastructure expansion, workforce development, and modernized facilities to ensure comprehensive health services for all Ghanaians.

The following key initiatives highlight the NDC’s vision for healthcare transformation:

1. Uncap the National Health Insurance Levy and ensure the timely release of payments to service providers and additional funds to finance health care for Ghanaians.
2. Establish the Ghana Medical Care Trust Fund (MAHAMACARES) to support the cost of health care for persons with chronic diseases such as kidney failure (dialysis), cancers, Sickle Cell disease, diabetes, hypertension and heart diseases.
3. Implement FREE PRIMARY HEALTHCARE from the CHPS compound to the polyclinic level in the short to medium term.
4. Expand health infrastructure to restore the prompt employment and timely deployment of health workers.
5. Provide affordable accommodation within the premises of health facilities and offer home ownership schemes for health and other workers.
6. Introduce ‘Risk Exposure Insurance’ for health workers to provide financial protection and support in the event of injuries, illnesses or other risks encountered on the job.
7. Introduce a vehicle tax waiver scheme for health professionals under a well-regulated system.
8. Provide scholarship opportunities for nurses and Allied Health Workers to pursue PhD-level education.
9. Reward healthcare workers who accept posting to rural communities and underserved areas with a decent rural allowance of 20% of the basic salary and shorter service periods for promotion and study leave.
10. Introduce degree and specialist nursing programmes in nursing colleges to support career advancement and skills upgrade of nurses to meet global standards.
11. Mainstream research-backed herbal, traditional and alternative medicine and practice in patient management at all levels.
12. Support the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana with incentives to make Ghana a Pharma Hub in Africa.
13. Construct a state-of-the-art 500-bed Specialist Children’s Hospital and Fertility Centre in Accra.
14. Refurbish the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital as an additional ultra-modern quaternary specialist hospital to reduce medical care and training abroad.
15. Upgrade the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital) into a full Teaching Hospital and link it to the College of Physicians and Surgeons for specialist training.
16. Refurbish the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital to meet the standards of an ultra-modern teaching Hospital.
17. Expand the Ho Teaching Hospital to provide comprehensive specialist services and establish a quaternary hospital in the Volta region to attract medical tourism.
18. Build a Specialist and Trauma Hospital in the Oti Region to respond to emergencies on the eastern corridor road.
19. Establish a modern dialysis centre in the Upper East region to serve the catchment area.
20. Build an ultra-modern hospital in Bawku, Yendi and other towns based on a needs assessment.
21. Upgrade the Navrongo War Memorial Hospital to facilitate the training of doctors, nurses and other health workforce.
22. Establish a medical school within the former Brong Ahafo region (Bono, Bono East and Ahafo) and operationalise the Sunyani Regional Hospital as one of the teaching sites.
23. Establish a College of Allied Health Sciences as a post-graduate professional institute to promote specialist training and continuous professional development for allied health workers.
24. Complete the establishment of additional campuses of the University of Health and Allied Sciences in Keta and Battor.

What we think?

The NDC’s healthcare manifesto reflects a people-centered approach to healthcare reform. From ensuring universal primary healthcare access to expanding infrastructure and incentivizing health workers, this comprehensive plan will addresses the needs of Ghanaians at most levels. With a focus on equity, modernization, and innovation, these reforms can create a resilient and sustainable healthcare system, empowering citizens to live healthier and more productive lives.