Revamped health systems key to Ghana's universal health coverage attainment: minister

ACCRA, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Ghana's Minister for Health Kwaku Agyeman-Manu on Wednesday called for the revamping and strengthening of health systems in Ghana to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

"Essentially, this means that everyone must have access to affordable quality health services such as well-equipped health infrastructure with essential equipment, medicine and drugs, and trained and skilled human resource for health," he said.

Manu was speaking at a ceremony to mark World Health Day (WHD) in Accra. This year's WHD, instituted by the World Health Organization (WHO), aims at throwing the spotlight on the need for UHC and the advantages it can bring.

It also provided a unique opportunity to mobilize action around a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world.

Manu said, with the support of the World Bank, Ghana was ready to assist all Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds, for everyone everywhere to be able to access basic healthcare facilities free of charge.

The CHPS compound idea is to bring healthcare delivery to the doorsteps of the people, and as result, reduce the cost and stress of traveling to distant places to seek medical attention.

"This we believe will go a long way to reduce the burden of diseases on the Ghanaian population thereby strengthening the labor force and increasing productivity," he said, adding that the move would also bring Ghana close to achieving the UHC.

The WHO Country Director, Owen Kaluwa, called on governments in Africa to live up to the Sustainable Development Goal pledges they made in 2005, and to commit concrete actions.

He said WHO would continue to support countries to build stronger, more resilient and responsive health systems through UHC to advance health for all. Enditem