Honourable Dr. Kwaku Afriyie, Minister of Health has given the assurance that the NPP government will make a difference in the lives of Ghanaians in spite of the enormous socio-economic challenges confronting the country.

He stated that the commitment shown by Government through systematic programmes that had ushered in steady growth in various sectors of the economy was indicative that it would not be too long before the nation reaped the benefits from the seeds which had been planted.

He praised donor agencies and development partners for putting their weight behind the government in the task of steering the country from the ravages of economic and social degradation.

The Minister made these remarks at a meeting with Ghanaian health professionals resident in the UK during a recent visit to London.

Among those present at the meeting were Mr Kwabena Baah-Duodu, Ghana’s Deputy High Commissioner to the UK; Dr Sam Adjei, Deputy Director of Health, Ministry of Health; Dr Konotey-Ahulu, a renowned medical consultant and President of the Association of Ghanaian doctors; Ms Gladys Nsonyameye, Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Nurses Association; Dr Victor Narh of the Narh-Bita Clinic, Tema and some senior officials of the Ghana High Commission.

Dr Afriyie announced that the bill for the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme is currently before Parliament and added that the affordability criteria would be the overriding principle in fixing premiums to be paid under the scheme.

To stem the exodus of health professionals, Dr Afriyie explained that the Health Ministry has submitted for the approval of Cabinet new salary proposals for all categories of health workers. He cited the establishment of local postgraduate courses as well as specialist training programmes for rapid career progression and provision of vehicles as some of the strategies being pursued by the Ministry to reverse the situation.

The Minister also revealed that a new policy which would enable private companies to train new entrants into the health section will soon be outdoored to address the shortfall occasioned by the mass exodus of nurses.

To enhance efficient health delivery, Dr Afriyie said, the Ministry was pushing through a policy designed to step-up private sector participation in the sector in order to strengthen institutional capacity.

Mr Kwabena Baah-Duodu, Deputy High Commissioner, who chaired the meeting urged the Ghanaian professionals to rise to the challenge of nation building by investing their skills and resources in Ghana.

“Take advantage of the excellent investment opportunities made available by the Government, and invest in the health sector”, he said. Mr Baah-Duodu urged them to either approach the Mission, the Ghana Investment Centre or the Home-Coming Secretariat to facilitate their investment in Ghana.

Dr Sam Adjei, Deputy Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, who accompanied the Minister, called on Ghanaian professionals to actively support the Ministry’s efforts to address the immense challenges confronting the health sector by offering practical suggestions and solutions to teething problems.

In reaction to the Hon. Minister’s message, the health professionals cautioned against a hasty implementation of the National Insurance Scheme and suggested that the management of the Scheme should be contracted to a private sector operator. The professionals also called for a review of the decision not to give six-month old babies water in some hospitals to guard against dehydration of babies. They urged the Ministry to beef up its outreach programmes to adequately cater for the health needs of deprived communities in the country

Other issues raised by the professionals centred on the formulation of an effective programmes to tap the expertise of Ghanaian doctors living abroad to enhance health care delivery in Ghana, stepping up the AIDS education campaign and revamping of mental healthcare in Ghana.