President John Dramani Mahama says Ghana’s efforts to reform its health sector must go beyond constructing hospitals and focus on building domestic capacity to produce essential medicines and other health supplies.
He made the remarks in New York during the launch of the High-Level Panel Report, A Sovereign Future for Health, under the Accra Reset initiative.
The A Sovereign Future for Health report contains 10 practical recommendations aimed at reforming the global health architecture and strengthening the capacity of countries in the Global South to build more resilient health systems.
President Mahama said excessive dependence on foreign donors for essential health commodities leaves developing countries vulnerable and limits their ability to determine their own health priorities.
“When we say we’re resetting Ghana’s health sector, we do not mean simply building medical facilities and waiting for foreign donors to supply the essential vaccines or IV fluids and medicines,” he said.
According to him, Ghana must strengthen its pharmaceutical industry and encourage local manufacturers to produce essential medicines, supported by guaranteed government purchasing and access to regional markets.
He said the same principle should guide the broader Accra Reset agenda, which seeks to give countries in the Global South greater control over health financing, production and policy decisions.
“A national reset without a global reset leaves us building on shifting sands. Likewise, a global reset without domestic discipline is unfeasible,” President Mahama said.
The President also stressed that greater control over health systems must be matched by accountability in the management of public resources.
“No ownership without control, yes, but no control without absolute accountability to our people,” he stated.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
