Cape coast: The Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, with stakeholders, has discussed challenges and opportunities for improvement in the health sector. As a result, the Committee has pledged to address key issues, including free primary healthcare, where an implementation of free primary healthcare to increase access to healthcare services will be ensured.
According to Ghana News Agency, at a day's formal engagement with management and staff of the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, Dr. Mrs. Alberta Biritwum Nyarko, the Regional Director of Ghana Health Service, Central Region, called for an emergency response that will strengthen the National Ambulance Service and emergency preparedness and response teams in the region. 'The health sector already provides a 24-hour service, and a good primary healthcare system would push us to reverse our health coverage of expanding 24-hour service provision in health centers and sub-district levels with adequate infrastructure in place,' she said.
She further called for human resource challenges to be addressed to attract and retain healthcare professionals in rural areas. 'Land encroachment is also an issue confronting us in this region and facility, and it is our hope the committee helps in addressing illegal encroachment on the hospital's lands,' she urged.
On his part, Mr. Patrick Boakye-Yiadom, the Deputy Ranking Member on the Health Committee and the New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament for Obuasi East, pledged to continue the Committee's continued support that will augment the health sector. 'We will continue to speak out and ensure that these issues are addressed. We will not drop these issues,' he said.
Dr. Mark Kurt Nawaane, the Committee Chair, said there was a need for a cordial working relationship to strengthen Ghana's healthcare sector. 'Increased funding, improved infrastructure, and enhanced support for healthcare facilities are essential to ensuring that patients receive the care they need,' he said. Other members of the Committee commended management and staff of the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital for the positive strides made despite the challenges being confronted in their line of work.
