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GHS calls for public-private partnerships to accelerate universal health coverage

The World Health Organization (WHO) has set an ambitious target of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030. Health leaders say meeting this goal requires stronger collaboration between public and private healthcare institutions.

It is against this backdrop that the Greater Accra Regional Health Director of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Robert Amesiya, has called for deeper partnerships between both sectors to accelerate progress toward UHC.

“I was talking about achieving universal health coverage, which is a priority of the Ministry of Health and, by extension, the government of Ghana. That is to get health care to the doorstep of everyone without any barrier. I was saying actually private partnership with public is one of the shortest ways by which we can achieve this, because it’s not technically possible for the public sector to put health care at every nook and cranny of the country,” he said.

Dr Amesiya made these remarks during the 45th anniversary celebration of Midway Hospital, a private healthcare facility in Accra.

The event, themed “Honouring Legacy, Advancing a Vision: 45 Years of Transforming Lives,” brought together high-profile personalities, including public health leaders, who underscored the vital role of private institutions in strengthening Ghana’s health system.

Midway Hospital’s Medical Director, Dr. Gifty Quarshie-Ngissah, highlighted that the facility has been aligned with WHO’s UHC vision since 2020, making bold strides toward the 2030 target. She added that patient testimonies affirm the hospital’s commitment to quality and accessibility.

“45 years is no mean feat for any organization. For us to have grown from one generation to another and still remain relevant speaks volumes. In 2020, we said we were looking at a future of endless possibilities, and that still holds true. We hope to continue receiving the necessary support from both public and private sectors so that we can advance our vision of becoming a great quaternary facility,” she said.

This year’s celebration also marked five years since the hospital’s founder, Dr Joseph Ameni Quarshie, passed away.

To honour his memory and legacy, a commemorative bust was unveiled, capping a day of reflection and renewed commitment to advancing healthcare excellence.

Telecel Ghana Foundation’s Healthfest boosts healthcare access in Obrachere

The newly built Obrachere CHPS Compound, located in the Central Region, which has long struggled with low patient attendance, recorded an unprecedented turnout on Wednesday, August 13.

This was when the Telecel Ghana Foundation brought its flagship Healthfest and Rural Ultrasound Scan initiatives to the community.

For months, health workers at the facility had been concerned about the low turnout of patients seeking care, with most residents from Obrachere and nearby communities only visiting when illnesses became severe.

The Foundation’s intervention changed that dynamic, attracting residents from 10 neighbouring communities for a day of accessible, cost-free healthcare.

In total, 575 residents were screened for blood pressure, blood glucose, temperature, weight, pulse, typhoid, hepatitis B, and malaria. 40 expectant mothers received free ultrasound scans, while 347 people registered, renewed, or replaced their National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) cards, giving them the means to seek care in the future without financial strain.

Bernard, the newly posted Physician Assistant at the CHPS Compound, described the activation as a turning point for the facility.

“Attendance here has always been low, but today we saw everyone: the elderly, youth, mothers, and fathers. People are leaving not only with treatment but also with insurance coverage,” he said.

“Most people were clearly unwell but could not afford hospital visits. With the CHPS Compound’s typical low attendance, this event has been a welcome boost for the community.

“The free NHIS services mean residents can now return here when they are unwell without worrying about the cost.”

The Foundation’s Healthfest is an initiative designed to bridge healthcare access gaps in underserved areas by combining free diagnostics, consultations, and treatment with NHIS enrollment.

This approach not only addresses urgent health needs but also encourages regular use of local health facilities, creating long-term behavioural changes.

Rita Agyeiwaa Rockson, Head of the Telecel Ghana Foundation, Sustainability & External Communications, emphasised the importance of sustaining healthcare access beyond outreach events.

“Our goal is not only to bring healthcare services closer to underserved communities but also to remove the barriers that prevent people from seeking care.

“By combining free screenings with NHIS registration, we are helping residents access treatment today and ensuring they can return to the clinic whenever they need care in the future.”

Several community members expressed gratitude for the intervention. Mary, a pregnant woman from a nearby village, shared that her last scan in June cost GHS 50, which she could not afford this month.

“Today it was completely free. Most people here cannot afford these services,” she said.

Kwame Abbey, a father of three, added: “We all received treatment for free. I even came ready to pay, but I was not charged a pesewa. If we had gone to the hospital, the costs would have been high since my whole family has no insurance. Thanks to Telecel Ghana Foundation, my mother, grandmother, and all my children were treated for free.”

By the end of the day, the once-quiet Obrachere CHPS Compound was bustling, and the medical team is confident the change will last.

Unpaid nurses and midwives protest over 8-month salary arrears

A coalition representing over 7,000 nurses and midwives working in public health facilities across Ghana has staged a protest, demanding the immediate payment of eight months of salary arrears.

The health professionals, who have been without pay since January of this year, say they are facing severe economic hardship.

The group, calling itself the Coalition of Unpaid Nurses and Midwives, demonstrated today, highlighting the dire conditions they are working under.

According to the coalition, the government has failed to honour its financial obligations despite having granted them financial clearance, a key step in authorising their salaries.

In an interview, the Convener for the coalition, Stephen Kwadwo Takyiah, captured the emotional toll of the situation on the health workers.

He stated that they are “emotionally drained” from continuing to work with no assurances for their payment anytime soon.

This emotional and financial strain, the coalition argues, has plunged them into an “economic quagmire” where they are struggling to meet basic needs such as rent and transportation.

The demonstration shines a spotlight on a long-standing issue within the public sector, where newly employed professionals often endure prolonged delays in receiving their salaries.

For nurses and midwives, whose services are critical to the country’s healthcare delivery, these delays not only compromise their personal well-being but could also affect the quality of care provided to patients.

The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance have yet to issue a public statement regarding the protest or provide a timeline for the disbursement of the salary arrears.

The coalition has vowed to continue its push for payment, arguing that its dedication to its work should be met with timely and consistent compensation.

Ashanti region records 24 mpox cases

The Ashanti Regional Health Directorate has confirmed 24 cases of mpox across 12 districts, with Kumasi recording the highest number of infections.

Dr Fred Adomako-Boateng, Ashanti Regional Director of Health Services, confirmed this in an interview with Luv FM, saying the Kumasi Metropolitan area leads with six cases, representing a quarter of the regional total.

He explained the severity of the outbreak: “The case fatality rate for most of the average of Mpox is normally around 11%. But if you look at the current outbreak that we are dealing with in the country and the period we are talking about, we are looking at 1/409, which will give a percentage of 0.24. You can’t say 0.24 person dying, but it means that it’s really not fatal as compared to the other cases that we know.”

On the regional spread, he added: “For example, in the Ashanti Region, we initially for a long time didn’t even record a case. Currently, the total number of cases that we have recorded in the region is 24, which is almost about 5% of the total cases that we are talking about. You look at the districts that have been affected, we are talking about 12 districts, which is about 27% of the 43 districts in the region. Currently, the leading district, as it’s implied, is Kumasi, having about six cases, which is about 25% of the cases that we have.”

Dr Adomako-Boateng also noted that none of the cases are currently admitted: “Our first two cases were really recorded in Old Tafo about two months ago, and they have been discharged and are doing well,” he said.

Meanwhile, a significant surge in mpox cases has been recorded, bringing the total number of confirmed infections nationwide to over 400.

According to the Ghana Health Service (GHS), 37 new cases were recorded as of August 14, 2025, raising the cumulative total to 409.

The GHS also reported that two cases are currently on admission, emphasising the ongoing threat posed by the viral disease.

The Ghana Health Service issued an urgent public health update to inform the public of the new figures and to reinforce essential safety precautions.

The update comes amid a broader continental resurgence of the disease, which prompted the World Health Organisation (WHO) to renew its “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” declaration in August 2024.

Protecting Yourself and Others

The GHS continues to stress that Mpox spreads mainly through close physical contact with an infected person. In light of the recent surge, the Service’s recommendations for public safety include:

• Avoiding close contact with infected persons, especially those with visible rashes.
• Washing hands often with soap and water to prevent the spread of the virus.
• Avoiding regular touching of your eyes, nose, and mouth, which can be entry points for the virus.

The GHS urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases to the nearest health facility for prompt diagnosis and management. Symptoms of Mpox include fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and a characteristic skin rash that can be painful.

National and Global Context

This latest surge is part of a worrying trend observed in Ghana throughout 2025. The country recorded its first Mpox-related death in July 2025, a sobering moment that highlighted the seriousness of the outbreak.

Reports from international health bodies show that Ghana’s case numbers have been rapidly escalating, contributing to a broader surge across Africa, particularly in Central and West Africa.

The GHS and other national health authorities are intensifying surveillance, contact tracing, and public education efforts to contain the spread and prevent further fatalities.

Luv FM, Komfo Anokye Blood Bank hold blood donation exercise in Kumasi

LUV 99.5 FM, in collaboration with the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) Blood Bank, has organised a successful blood donation exercise at the LUV–NHYIRA FM premises in Kumasi.

The initiative, held under the theme “Donate a Pint of Blood to Save a Dying Soul,” sought to mobilise residents to support the urgent need for blood to save lives.

Close to 200 pints of blood were collected from voluntary donors in the exercise.

Authorities at the Komfo Anokye Blood Bank commended the gesture, emphasising that blood remains a critical resource in saving accident victims, mothers in childbirth, and patients undergoing surgery.

“So far, it has been one of the successful blood drives seen. The number of people who trooped here in the morning juxtaposes how LUV FM, Multimedia, is where you can reach. I would like to appeal to the public that blood donation is nothing to be afraid of.

“Blood is life and the need for blood is constant, so I will advise that people enrol anytime we campaign for blood because we need a regular blood supply to save mothers who are going to give birth, accident victims and people who are awaiting before we can do surgery. A lot of people need blood, and without people voluntarily donating, we can not get this blood,” explained Christian Oppong Mensah, Head of Recruitment at Komfo Anokye Blood Bank.

Management of LUV FM expressed their gratitude to the donors and sponsors for their selfless act and encouraged the public to cultivate the habit of regular blood donation to help save lives.

Speaking on behalf of LUV FM, Mr. Eric Inkoom expressed his satisfaction and gratitude.

“We started this blood donation campaign some two decades ago, and each edition has been successful. Today, we brought in institutions, tertiary and senior high schools, to support that course. Komfo Anokye Blood Bank is always in need of blood. The report we had over the period was not encouraging, so we had to bring together the people of Kumasi and Ashanti to donate a pint of blood to restock the Komfo Anokye Blood Bank.

“That is why we organised the donation today, together with our sponsors, bringing the people of Kumasi to show love. The program has been a success,” he said.

Mr Elvis, well known as “Ante Naa”, a regular blood donor and advocate, called on the government through the Ministry of Health to set a National Blood Donation Day due to the high demand for blood in the various health facilities and how lives are lost because of its absence.

The program was made possible by the help and sponsorship of St. Ben Jewelry, Newshorn Dental Consult, A.B.A. Herbal Centre, Dentoral Charcoal Toothpaste & Alive Toothbrushes, Precise Specialist Clinic LTD, Jackson University College, Robert And Sons’ Optical Services, Premium Foods, COA Mixture, COA Plus Mixture & COA – MT Mixture, Arash Motors LTD and Nassk Scientific Herbal And Research Clinic LTD

This exercise, which started as far back as 1999, adds to a series of community support initiatives championed by LUV 99.5 FM to promote health and well-being in the Ashanti Region.

37 new Mpox cases pushes total to 409

A significant surge in Mpox cases has been recorded, bringing the total number of confirmed infections to over 400.

According to the Ghana Health Service (GHS), 37 new cases were recorded as of August 14, 2025, raising the cumulative total to 409.

The GHS also reported that two cases are currently on admission, emphasising the ongoing threat posed by the viral disease.

The Ghana Health Service issued an urgent public health update to inform the public of the new figures and to reinforce essential safety precautions.

The update comes amid a broader continental resurgence of the disease, which prompted the World Health Organisation (WHO) to renew its “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” declaration in August 2024.

Protecting Yourself and Others

The GHS continues to stress that Mpox spreads mainly through close physical contact with an infected person. In light of the recent surge, the Service’s recommendations for public safety include:

• Avoiding close contact with infected persons, especially those with visible rashes.
• Washing hands often with soap and water to prevent the spread of the virus.
• Avoiding regular touching of your eyes, nose, and mouth, which can be entry points for the virus.

The GHS urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases to the nearest health facility for prompt diagnosis and management. Symptoms of Mpox include fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and a characteristic skin rash that can be painful.

National and Global Context

This latest surge is part of a worrying trend observed in Ghana throughout 2025. The country recorded its first Mpox-related death in July 2025, a sobering moment that highlighted the seriousness of the outbreak.

Reports from international health bodies show that Ghana’s case numbers have been rapidly escalating, contributing to a broader surge across Africa, particularly in Central and West Africa.

The GHS and other national health authorities are intensifying surveillance, contact tracing, and public education efforts to contain the spread and prevent further fatalities.

AfricaHPO, MoE, and GES launch innovative anti-bullying and mental health drive in Ghana’s schools

Bullying in Ghana’s schools often goes unnoticed, yet its impact on students’ mental health is profound, leaving lasting scars on victims.

Determined to address this, the Africa Health Promotion Organisation (AfricaHPO), in partnership with the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Ghana Education Service (GES), has launched its first anti-bullying and mental health initiative across 12 schools in six regions.

The maiden event, held at Labone Senior High School, seeks to challenge harmful behaviours and foster empathy among students.  

As many studies identify socioeconomic imbalances, cultural norms, family backgrounds, media influence, peer pressure, and weak school policies as key drivers of bullying, which often manifests as emotional, verbal, physical, or cyber abuse, the time to take action is now.

Speaking to JoyNews, AfricaHPO Executive Director, Kisses Johnson Ahortor, explained that the campaign will extend to senior high schools in all six targeted regions.

He described the campaign as a unique approach in transforming former bullies into peer educators and advocates as a way to tackle the problem at its roots.

“Bullying involves three actors: the perpetrator, the victim, and the bystander. Our innovation is to have the perpetrators themselves lead the advocacy, rather than recruiting only well-behaved students,” he said.

Mr Ahortor also called on more partners to join the effort to ensure sustainable impact and a zero-tolerance culture toward bullying.

GES Regional Guidance and Counselling Coordinator, Madam Love Amponsah, outlined plans to reduce the workload on school counsellors through a decentralised system offering psychosocial, academic, and career counselling.

She noted that support now comes from across the school community, including security staff, to help curb bullying.

“Most secondary schools have professional counsellors, but heavy workloads limit their time with students. Under a new framework that covers psychosocial, academic and career counselling, support comes from across the school community, and even security staff are involved so that bullying can be curbed. She also urged parents to instil good behaviour in their children, stressing that “charity begins at home.”

Labone SHS Head Prefect Richmond Blankson praised AfricaHPO for launching the programme in his school and pledged to champion a zero-bullying culture among students.

With its focus on empathy, peer advocacy, and decentralised mental health support, the initiative marks a bold step toward eradicating bullying and safeguarding the well-being of Ghana’s students.

Tinubu made cancer treatment possible in Nigeria – Minister

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, says President Bola Tinubu’s renewed Hope Agenda has made the treatment of cancer possible in the country.

Idris stated this when he and his team paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Enugu State, Mr Peter Mbah, on Thursday in Enugu.

He said that all the information structures of the Federal Government were brought to Enugu to see and report the positive efforts of Tinubu and Mbah.

According to him, Tinubu has done so well that one will wonder if he is on his second term.

Idris also said that he had noticed what Mbah had done in the state, describing Enugu as the heart of the South-East.

“We have seen what the governor has done, from the policies and programmes of his predecessor.

“Also, we are here to show that President Tinubu is working and to see what his policies and programmes are achieving positively across the region.

“Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda, in policies and programmes, has revolutionised the health sector so that treatment of cancer can now be done here in Nigeria.

“There are six treatment facilities in the six zones of the country, including Enugu, with similar machines found in other parts of the world, and experts have been trained to handle them.

“So, anyone who wants to go out of the country to treat cancer is doing so based on choice, and not because we don’t have facilities and experts to treat the person.

“We must give credit to President Tinubu for the people he put in place to revamp the health sector,” he said.

The minister further explained that Tinubu had made it possible for security agencies to synergise and achieve results, hence the improved security situation that the country is currently witnessing.

He, however, said that it was not yet over, adding that the president would continue to do more for the country to address all the challenges. (NAN)

Health NGO SHEILD mourns helicopter crash victims, urges national unity

Sustainable Health Education and Interventions Limited (SHEILD), a Ghanaian non-governmental organisation, has extended its heartfelt condolences to the families of the eight officials who tragically died in a military helicopter crash on August 6, 2025.

The NGO’s statement emphasises the immense national loss and highlights the victims’ dedication to public service.

The crash, which occurred in the Ashanti Region, has been a significant source of national grief, claiming the lives of high-ranking officials and military personnel.

Among the deceased were Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, who were key figures in the government’s fight against illegal mining, or ‘galamsey’.

The crash also claimed the lives of Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, NDC Vice Chairman Dr. Samuel Sarpong, former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, and three Ghana Air Force crew members: Squadron Leader Peter Baafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.

In a tribute by board members comprising Dr Sylvia Anie, Ing Enoch Opoku-Gyimah, Dr John Nkrumah Mills, Mr Francis Gariba, Mr Samuel Nyampong, Mr David Ofori and Dr Clement Agoni, SHEILD, which focuses on public health and well-being, acknowledged the gravity of the incident.

“As an organisation dedicated to the health and well-being of Ghanaians, we are deeply saddened by this immeasurable loss,” the statement read.

The NGO praised the victims for their patriotism and commitment to serving the nation, referring to their sacrifice as a testament to their dedication.

“Their dedication and sacrifice will forever be a testament to their patriotism,” the statement said.

The message concludes with a call for national solidarity, praying for the bereaved families to find strength and comfort during this period of mourning.

The incident and the subsequent national outpouring of grief underscore the profound impact of the loss on all sectors of Ghanaian society.