Bolgatanga, Feb. 12, GNA - The Ghana Health Services(GHS), Afrikids Ghana and Southampton University Teaching Hospital in the United Kingdom are to partner to provide quality healthcare delivery to the people in the Upper East Region.

The Programme is to foster cooperation and exchange of knowledge and skills in clinical practice, training, working practices and health system strengthening.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency after a forum organized by the Partners, the Head of Sustainability of Afrikid Ghana, Mr. Didas Azanoore, explained that the medium term objectives of the three partners are to increase access to specialist services in the Upper East Region, develop the capacity of health professionals and other health care workers for quality healthcare delivery, to provide UK Staff with experience in tropical diseases.

The forum, which was attended by a team of clinical experts and government representatives from Southampton University Teaching Hospital, Afrikids Ghana and the Upper East Directorate of the Ghana Health Service, explored areas to be tackled include emergency care, paediatrics, midwifery, pharmacy, management, diagnostic services, supply of equipment and learning materials and public health.

The long-term strategic purpose of the programme is to contribute to the overall development of northern Ghana through the reduction in the high rate of mortality and morbidity in the area.

Mr. Azanoore said the programme would help Afrikids Ghana to achieve one of its core functions of child rights and protection. He said Afrikids Ghana was benefiting from the Southampton University Teaching Hospital they had supplied them with health logistics including ultra sound machines.

Ms Lena Samuels, Non-Executive Member of the Southampton University Teaching Hospital, said quality health delivery was the hallmark of her outfit and they were more committed to seeing how they could team up with the other partners to provide quality healthcare to the people in the Region especially to women and children.

She said the Board members of the three organizations would sign a memorandum of Understating to begin the programme for two years which would be evaluated and if possible extended. The Regional Director of Health Services, Dr Koku Awoonor-Williams, said the programme would help address some of the major challenges facing the health sector in the country particularly the Upper East Region. The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Mark Woyongo, thanked the partners for their laudable objectives urged them to ensure that the programme was well executed to benefit the people of the region. 12 Feb 10