Health Minister Urges Innovation to Tackle Resource Mobilisation Challenges in Healthcare

Cape Coast: Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, the Minister of Health, has called on health facility managers to embrace innovative practices in resource mobilisation to ensure efficient resource use. This approach, he emphasized, would improve service delivery, sustainability, and adaptability through methods such as data-driven planning, public-private partnerships, technology, and community engagement.According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Akandoh's remarks were delivered in a speech at the annual performance review meeting of the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital. The meeting, themed 'Advancing care with a resilience system and effective stakeholder engagements,' brought together key stakeholders and peer institutions to assess their performance. The forum was deemed vital for upholding high standards of care, optimizing resources, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement in teaching hospitals.Mr Akandoh outlined the government's vision of achieving a healthy population through universal health coverage and i ntroduced the 'Mahama Care' initiative. This strategic plan is designed to enhance health infrastructure and foster innovative public-private partnerships for the benefit of all citizens. A proposed initiative under President Mahama, the Ghana Medical Care Trust Fund, aims to financially assist individuals suffering from chronic illnesses such as kidney disease, diabetes, hypertension, and heart conditions, thereby improving chronic disease management in Ghana.The Minister also committed to enhancing the welfare of health personnel, especially those in rural areas, addressing the challenges they encounter. He mentioned ongoing efforts to establish bilateral agreements with other countries to deploy Ghanaian health professionals abroad, providing them with career opportunities while contributing to global healthcare needs.Commending the management of Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH) for their achievements, particularly in clinical investigations and rehabilitation services, Mr Akandoh highlighted areas such as MRI, CT scanning, haematology, physiotherapy, and psychology. Dr Eric Kofi Ngyedu, the Chief Executive Officer of CCTH, urged the government to provide vehicles to facilitate operations and emphasized the need for staff accommodation retention and a standard Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah, the Central Regional Minister, praised the hospital's efforts in delivering high-quality healthcare, citing the facility's experienced personnel and well-structured facilities. He also lauded the effective use of technology, like the Laboratory Information Hospital Management System (LHIMS), which has improved processes and patient care, and assured the Regional Coordinating Council's support.The Cape Coast Teaching Hospital has earned a reputation for excellence, boasting a 4.8-star rating and numerous positive reviews from satisfied patients.