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Ghana health officials address cancer burden and medical supply stability
Ghanaian health officials and stakeholders are addressing critical challenges in the national healthcare system, focusing on disease management, commodity availability, and resource sharing.
Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh reported that Ghana recorded over 27,000 new cancer cases and 17,000 deaths in 2024. To combat this, the government is utilizing the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (Mahama Cares) and the Free Primary Healthcare Policy. Additionally, MSD has called for a dedicated national plan to eliminate cervical cancer, noting that the country has vaccinated approximately 85% of girls aged nine to 14 against HPV.
To prevent shortages of HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria supplies, the Ministry of Health is reviewing procurement and funding with the Global Fund. Ghana has committed approximately US$38.5 million toward its co-financing obligations. Efforts are also underway to establish dedicated budget lines to reduce reliance on external support.
In terms of infrastructure and resource management, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, has urged hospitals to share medical resources. This includes the recent transfer of a specialized Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) machine from the Greater Accra Regional Hospital to the University of Ghana Medical Centre to enhance critical cardiac care.
Entities
Ghana · Ghana Health Service · Ghana Ministry of Health · Global Fund · Kwabena Mintah Akandoh · MSD · Mark Eldon Edington
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Global Fund raised concerns regarding commodity stock-outs, procurement inefficiencies, and delays in clearing health commodities at ports.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Minister called for donor-supported programmes to align more closely with government priorities, specifically the Free Primary Healthcare initiative.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Ministry of Health is implementing measures to accelerate commodity clearance, such as completing shipping documentation before arrival.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Ghana has committed approximately US$38.5 million, which is 85 percent of its US$45 million obligation under the Global Fund’s seventh grant cycle.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Ghana is seeking to establish a dedicated budget line for selected health programmes to improve domestic financing sustainability.