WHO official commends Ghana's commitment towards universal health coverage

ACCRA, April 23 (Xinhua) -- The Africa Regional Director of the World Health Organization (WHO), Matshidiso Moeti, on Monday commended Ghana's leadership for its commitment to the attainment of better health for the people through Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Addressing the 2018 National Health Summit in Accra, Moeti said she was impressed with the process that the health ministry and health development stakeholders in Ghana followed in reviewing the performance of the health sector, adding that this was an excellent way to bring everyone together to reflect on achievements, results and challenges.

"I believe this is something all our countries should be doing," Moeti said, expressing the confidence that lessons emerging from the discussions would make the necessary adjustments to improving the health of the citizenry.

The five-day event, which has assembled health experts, policy makers and development partners, is to ensure that Ghana harnesses the necessary partnerships and lessons across the regions that would ensure it achieves UHC using innovative approaches.

Ghana's Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia said Ghana was looking at innovative ways to deliver blood supplies as well as essential medicines to remote area as part of efforts to ensure quality healthcare delivery.

He said the government would sign a Memorandum of Understanding in the coming week to put the technology into effect.

"As the rains come in, some areas are going to be cut off. Do we allow mothers to die because we cannot have blood supplies or essential medicines?" he quizzed.

"So, I'm glad to report that Ghana, I think this week, will be signing an MOU and by the middle of this year or maybe by September we will join Malawi and Rwanda in using drone technology to deliver blood supplies and essential medicines," Bawumia said.

The summit also coincided with the launch of the African Immunization Week (AVW) which has been instituted in Ghana to celebrate the health of children through vaccination.

The AVW is a regional initiative led and coordinated by the WHO Regional Office for Africa and implemented by countries in the region.

The initiative provides a unique opportunity for countries and partners to strengthen national immunization programs by using the power of advocacy and partnerships.

From April 23-29, Ghana will join other African countries to commemorate the week on the theme: "Vaccines Work; Do Your Part".

"The theme is appropriate, judging from the fact that there is an urgent need for everyone to ensure that all eligible children receive their vaccines at the appropriate time," said Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, Ghana's Minister for Health. Enditem