Category: Rokmer Health Tips

Korean Gov’t allocates $32m in aid to Ghana with focus on healthcare

By Jones Anlimah

The Korean government has allocated $32 million in aid to Ghana for this year, with one-third of the amount dedicated to healthcare. The Korean Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Park Kyongsig, made this announcement at the inauguration of a GHS 2.3 million health facility in Abutia Kpota, located in the Ho West District of the Volta Region.

“This year, my government’s total budget for all aid to Ghana is $32 million, and a third of this will go to the healthcare service,” he stated.

The investment aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, which seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. By directing a substantial portion of its aid to healthcare, Korea is contributing to Ghana’s efforts to enhance access to quality health services, reduce maternal and child mortality, and combat communicable diseases.

The newly inaugurated health facility is expected to improve healthcare delivery in the district by providing essential medical services to residents.

Ambassador Park Kyongsig also disclosed plans for further investment in Ghana’s health infrastructure. “We also have plans to expand the Ho Teaching Hospital in the near future,” he stated.

The Korean government, through the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH), has been supporting Ghana’s health sector for the past decade. This latest investment further strengthens bilateral cooperation in healthcare development.

Local health officials and community leaders welcomed the initiative, emphasizing its potential to enhance healthcare access in rural areas.

As Ghana continues its journey toward a stronger healthcare system, strategic collaborations like this remain crucial in bridging gaps and ensuring equitable healthcare access for all citizens.

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NHIS should absorb cost of cervical cancer screening – Clinical Epidemiologist advocates

A Clinical Epidemiologist, Dr Grace Adjoa Ocansey, has suggested that the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) should be upgraded to absorb the cost of cervical cancer screening for women in Ghana.

The NHIS is a social intervention programme introduced in 2003 to provide equitable access and financial coverage for basic healthcare services to persons resident in the country, allowing a subscriber to access services or medicines/treatments that are covered under the Scheme’s benefits package at credentialed healthcare facilities for free.

Dr Ocansey made the call while delivering a presentation on findings, lessons learned, and recommendations from a one-year cervical cancer project dubbed, “Adopting and Piloting a Cervical Cancer Surveillance Programme in Ketu South Municipality,” at Ketu South Health Directorate’s 2024 programme of work review meeting.

The project was implemented by the Ketu South Municipal Health Directorate in collaboration with the Ghana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme (GFELTP), a competency-based programme at the University of Ghana.

Dr Ocansey who is also the Principal Investigator, GFELTP, emphasised the need for increased access to cervical cancer screening services to benefit particularly, low income women who would not be able to afford the cost of screening, indicating that during the course of the project, “women who had to screen at the health facility and
had to pay complained of the cost (GH¢50).

She said cervical cancer, also called cancer of the cervix, caused by Human Papilomavirus (HPV) “happens when the cells of the cervix begin to change to precancerous cells” noting that not all precancerous cells would turn into cancer thus, the need to nd these problematic cells early and treat them to prevent the disease and its
attendant problems, including death.

It was also recommended that the project should serve as a model for the National Cervical Prevention Programme; that the National Health Information Officer should develop a database for monthly reporting of screening data and that staff who would offer the services should have a refresher course once a year.

For the project, a total of 823 eligible women (25 to 64 years) were screened using Visual Inspection with Acetic acid (VIA), pap smear and HPV DNA testing, with 450 women being selected.

Of the 450, almost half of the women (204) were HPV positive, 49 VIA positive and 16 with precancerous lesions. As part of the project, all screened positives were linked to care for free.

Dr Ocansey, in an earlier interview with Ghana News Agency said, “The overall goal of this project is to pilot a cervical screening programme in Ketu South Municipality to early detect, respond and appropriately manage cervical pre-cancerous and cancerous cases to improve their prognosis and survival, and to provide evidence to support the call for establishment of an effective national population-based cervical screening and surveillance programme in Ghana.”

She explained that with the rising teenage pregnancy cases, high HIV positivity and as a border municipality, at risk of high-risk sexual behaviours, Ketu South Municipality was considered the best choice for the pilot project.

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SOURCE: GNA

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KOFIH inaugurates GH¢ 2.3 million health facility in Abutia Kpota to advance SDG 3

By Jones Anlimah

The Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH) has commissioned a GHS 2.3 million health facility in Abutia Kpota, Ho West District, to improve healthcare access and strengthen Ghana’s progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) – ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.

The facility, jointly inaugurated by the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, His Excellency Park Kyongsig, the Korean Ambassador to Ghana, Volta Regional Minister James Gunu, and other dignitaries, aligns with Ghana’s commitment to achieving SDG 3.

It is expected to improve maternal and child healthcare while reducing health disparities in the region.

The Volta Regional Minister, Mr. James Gunu, emphasized the significance of the facility in addressing healthcare challenges in the region.

He stated, “This facility is more than just a building; it is a beacon of hope for mothers who need safe maternal care, for children who require timely medical attention, and for families seeking quality healthcare without the burden of traveling long distances. It will serve as a lifeline for many and contribute significantly to achieving the universal health coverage agenda of our dear region.”

The Korean Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Park Kyongsig, reaffirmed Korea’s dedication to Ghana’s healthcare development and highlighted the importance of sustainable healthcare partnerships between the two countries. “Korea remains committed to supporting Ghana in its journey towards universal health coverage. This facility marks another milestone in the strong partnership between Ghana and Korea in the field of healthcare,” he noted.

Ghana’s Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, underscored the government’s commitment to universal health coverage and efficient healthcare delivery. He stated, “In line with our goal of ensuring a healthy population, the health sector has prioritized interventions, investments, and collaborations to improve access to quality essential healthcare for all.”

He further urged authorities to ensure the judicious use of the facility to maximize its impact on the community.

The facility is expected to serve about 17 communities, providing maternal and child healthcare, emergency services, and primary healthcare consultations, thereby bridging critical gaps in medical access for residents of Abutia Kpota and its neighboring areas.

This intervention aligns with SDG 3 by improving healthcare infrastructure, reducing maternal and infant mortality, and ensuring equitable healthcare access, reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthening community healthcare systems in collaboration with international partners like KOFIH.

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FDA bars Samos Pharma’s export partners over alleged Opioid smuggling

By Franklin ASARE-DONKOH

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has revoked the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification of Samos Pharma’s export partner, Aveo Pharmaceuticals, following a BBC Africa Eye investigation that exposed the company’s alleged role in the illegal distribution of opioid-based medications across West Africa.

In response to the BBC Africa Eye investigation, the FDA has directed Samos Pharma, a Ghanaian importer, to terminate all transactions with Aveo Pharmaceuticals and Westfin International.

Additionally, the registration process for six products from Masters Pharmaceutical Limited, which planned to use Aveo Pharmaceuticals as a contract manufacturer, has been suspended.

Reaffirming its commitment to combating opioid abuse, the FDA vowed to intensify enforcement actions, including seizures, fines, and prosecutions of illegal drug distributors.

However, the agency has assured the general public of its readiness to work closely with law enforcement to prevent the infiltration of dangerous pharmaceuticals into Ghana.

The BBC Africa Eye investigation revealed that Aveo Pharmaceuticals, through Westfin International, exported unapproved drugs containing tapentadol and carisoprodol—powerful and highly addictive opioids—to Ghana, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire.

According to health experts, when abused, these substances pose severe health risks, including respiratory collapse and death.

Commenting on the BBC Africa Eye exposé in Parliament on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, the Minister of Health, Mr. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, raised concerns over the increasing infiltration of unregistered drugs into Ghana’s pharmaceutical market.

He warned that the influx of unapproved drugs, including tramadol brands and tapentadol—both classified as opioids—has led to widespread abuse, resulting in severe health complications and fatalities.

The Minister outlined government measures aimed at curbing this alarming trend.

“A joint task force involving the FDA, the Narcotics Control Commission, Customs, and the Ghana Revenue Authority has intensified checks at major entry points to prevent further unauthorized imports, leading to the destruction of a large consignment of Toradol and similar drugs.

Inspections have been intensified, and legal action is being taken against offenders. A national education campaign has been launched to warn the public about the dangers of illicit opioid use and to encourage responsible medication practices,” he announced.

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MoH takes immediate action to combat illicit opioid crisis following BBC Africa Eye exposé

Ghana’s Ministry of Health (MoH), in collaboration with regulatory and security agencies has launched immediate measures to tackle the growing threat of illicit opioids following a recent investigative exposé by BBC Africa Eye.

The report revealed an alleged illegal exportation of unapproved opioids, including tapentadol, into Ghana and other West African countries.

Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, who addressed Parliament today, 25th February 2025 said, the exposé, released about four days ago, uncovered the involvement of Indian pharmaceutical firm Aveo Pharmaceuticals in producing and exporting opioids such as tapentadol and supradol to Ghana. These drugs, which have not been approved by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), have entered local markets, raising serious public health and national security concerns.

READ ALSO: PSGH condemns illicit opioid trade, calls for immediate action

In response, the minister highlighted that the Ministry of Health, working closely with the FDA, the Narcotics Control Commission, Customs, and the Ghana Revenue Authority, has implemented decisive actions to address the crisis. 

“The FDA has directed Samospharma to immediately seize using these companies as exporters of registered products to Ghana” he said. “Additionally, the FDA has suspended the processing of master’s pharmaceutical limited application which uses Aveo pharmaceutical as contract manufacturer” he highlighted.

These steps are part of a broader crackdown on the illegal importation of unapproved opioids.

To further combat the crisis, the minister revealed that a joint task force consisting of the FDA, Customs, the Narcotics Control Commission, and the Ghana Revenue Authority has intensified inspections at major entry points across the country. This initiative has led to the seizure and destruction of large consignments of unauthorized drugs, including tafradol and other opioids.

According to the minister, the Ministry of Health has also ramped up its efforts to prevent the sale of illicit opioids through increased monitoring of over-the-counter drug sales.

Unauthorized drugs have been seized from the market, and legal action has been taken against offenders.

A national public awareness campaign has been launched to educate the public on the dangers of opioid misuse and to encourage responsible medication practices.

Despite these efforts, the Health Minister acknowledged that more work needs to be done to permanently shut down the supply of illicit opioids.

He said challenges such as inadequate inspection capacity for transit goods, gaps in intelligence sharing between enforcement agencies, and the illegal movement of opioids across borders. The Ministry, he said, will collaborate with relevant agencies to strengthen enforcement and regulatory oversight.

The minister stressed the need for a coordinated, sustained response from all sectors of society. “We cannot afford to let Ghana become a hub for opioid abuse and trafficking,” he said, urging all stakeholders to help close the loopholes, tighten regulations, and hold those responsible accountable.

The Minister of Health, addressed Parliament on this urgent matter after a recent BBC Africa Eye investigative report exposing the illegal exportation of unapproved opioids into Ghana and other West African countries.

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KOFIH Inaugurates GHC 950,000 Maternity Unit at Alavanyo Wudidi Health Centre to Boost Maternal Healthcare

By Jones Anlimah

The Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH) has inaugurated a new maternity unit at the Alavanyo Wudidi Health Centre to significantly improve maternal and child healthcare in the region. The facility, constructed at a cost of GHC 950,000, is expected to enhance safe deliveries and address maternal and neonatal health challenges in Alavanyo Wudidi and adjoining communities in the Hohoe municipality of the Volta Region.

The intervention aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all, particularly by reducing maternal and infant mortality rates.

The Country Representative of KOFIH, Mr. Bomin Yong, emphasized the foundation’s dedication to strengthening healthcare systems in underserved communities.

“This health centre will not only provide essential medical services but also promote health education and other interventions to safeguard the lives of families in Alavanyo Wudidi,” Mr. Yong stated. “By investing in maternal health infrastructure, we are directly contributing to the global goal of reducing preventable maternal and child deaths.”

The Volta Regional Director of Health Services, Mr. Chrysantus Kubio, highlighted the importance of the facility in bridging the healthcare gap in the community.

“This unit symbolizes our unwavering commitment to strengthening our health delivery systems and ensuring the well-being of every mother and child in our community,” Mr. Kubio said. “Previously, expectant mothers had to travel long distances for skilled delivery services. With this facility in place, we are bringing essential maternal care closer to those who need it most.”

Until now, the Alavanyo Wudidi Health Centre operated without a dedicated maternity unit, forcing pregnant women to seek care in distant facilities, thereby increasing the risk of complications. The new unit, equipped with delivery beds, and other care equipment, coupled with skilled health personnel, is expected to significantly improve maternal health outcomes in the area.

The initiative forms part of KOFIH’s broader support for Ghana’s healthcare sector, particularly in rural communities, in line with the SDGs’ call for universal health coverage. Local authorities welcomed the development and called for continued investment in maternal and child health services.

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President Mahama flags USAID service pause as critical threat to Ghana’s health programmes

By: Henrietta Afful

President John Dramani Mahama has identified USAID’s abrupt 90-day pause in services without prior notice as the most critical issue currently facing Ghana’s health sector.

Speaking during his maiden State of the Nation Address on Thursday, February 27, 2025, in Accra, he expressed concern over the potential withdrawal of USAID programmes that may not align with the United States’ strategic interests.

President Mahama said the disruption would severely impact critical health programmess, particularly the delivery of medical commodities to regional medical stores and healthcare facilities in the Upper West, Upper East, Northern, and Savannah regions. Additionally, USAID’s support for the National HIV/AIDS Control Programme, including the provision of antiretroviral therapies (ARTs) in the Western, Western North, and Ahafo regions, is now in jeopardy.

This sudden pause jeopardizes an estimated $78 million allocated for essential programmes targeting malaria, maternal and child health, nutrition, and HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment.

President Mahama emphasized the potential devastating consequences of this withdrawal and assured the public that urgent steps would be taken to address the crisis.

He revealed that he had directed the Minister for Finance to make immediate financial arrangements to counter the loss of USAID support.

“The impact will be devastating without urgent intervention. I have therefore directed the Minister for Finance to make immediate financial arrangements to mitigate this loss, and I expect that this will be reflected in his budget, which will be presented next month” President Mahama said as he reassured Ghanaians.

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Not a single hospital under Agenda 111 is operational after spending $400M – President Mahama

By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH

President John Dramani Mahama has revealed that not a single hospital under the Agenda 111 is operational after the previous administration led by Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo spent a colossal amount of $400 million on the project.

The President made a revelation during his maiden State of the Nation Address (SoNA) on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, February 27, 2025.

President Mahama indicated that despite the huge significant financial commitments, none of the hospitals have been completed and made operational.

“It is worth disclosing that USD400m has already been disbursed under agenda 111 project, yet not a single hospital under this gargantuan initiative is serving the people of Ghana,” President Mahama reiterated

According to him, the amount already spent on the Agenda 111 project could have facilitated the completion and operationalization of at least 22 of the proposed hospitals if resources had been utilized efficiently.

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Trede hospital still unfinished, needs GHS 100 million – Mintah Akandoh

By Ashiadey Dotse

The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has revealed that the Trede Hospital, which was commissioned under the former government’s Agenda 111 initiative, remains incomplete and is not yet in use.

 The minister stated that the hospital, located in the Atwima Kwawonma Municipality of the Ashanti Region, requires GHS 100 million to be fully completed and operational.

“We have inspected the Trede Hospital, and as you can see, work is still ongoing. I have been informed that over GHS 100 million is needed to complete it. There are also outstanding payments for work already done,” he said.

The hospital was officially commissioned on December 5, 2024, by then-President Nana Akufo-Addo, who announced it as the first completed facility under Agenda 111. However, recent reports show that the hospital is still unfinished, raising concerns about the progress of the entire project.

Agenda 111 is a government initiative aimed at building 111 district and specialized hospitals to improve healthcare services in Ghana. However, President John Dramani Mahama recently stated that only one hospital under the project has been fully completed and that the government needs $1.7 billion to finish the remaining facilities.

The delay in completing these hospitals has become a major issue in Ghana’s health sector, with many calling on the government to act quickly to ensure that the project is completed as planned.

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None of Agenda 111 hospitals operational – Health Minister

The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has observed that some Agenda 111 hospital projects inaugurated by the erstwhile government are still under construction, emphasizing that none of the 111 facilities is completed at the moment.

He said upon inspection, it was evident that construction was still ongoing; hence, the hospitals were not yet operational although they had been inaugurated by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo before he left office.

During an inspection tour of the projects at the Atwima Kwanwoma Municipal Hospital in Trede in the Ashanti Region yesterday, Mr Akandoh said President John Dramani Mahama had tasked him to work out the completion of the projects.

“I have been directed by the President to transfer the Agenda 111 hospitals from the presidency to the Ministry of Health, and also to oversee their completion.

“Where I am standing is one of the hospitals, and when it comes to hospitals, it is not just about the building alone but also the necessary facilities and staff that make up a functional hospital.

“Upon our inspection, we cannot call this place a hospital because construction is still ongoing.

“Based on the briefing I received from the same consultant employed by the previous government, none of the hospitals have been completed,” the Health Minister said.

Indeed, President Mahama, last Thursday, disclosed in the State of the Nation Address that the Akufo-Addo government had completed none of the Agenda 111 projects it started, with the only one near completion yet to be operational.

The President further criticised the decision of the previous government to site hospitals at places where mission hospitals existed.

He pointed out that rather than starting the construction of new facilities, the Akufo-Addo administration should have collaborated with faith-based organisations to make their existing health facilities better.

The President indicated that one of the solutions to completing the projects would be for faith-based organisations to take up some of them.

He said the missions could take some of the uncompleted Agenda 111 projects, complete them and manage them.

About Agenda 111

Former President Nana Akufo-Addo cut the sod for the construction of the facilities on August 17, 2021, with a promise to complete the work within 18 months.

The plan to construct the hos­pitals was first announced in the eighth COVID-19 national address on April 26, 2020, by the former President months after the COVID-19 pan­demic hit Ghana.

It was initially an “Agenda 88” initiative, but the government later revised it to “Agenda 111”.

The 23 additional facilities included 13 district hospitals.

Beneficiary regions and a respec­tive breakdown of the distribution are 10 in Ashanti; nine in Volta; eight in Eastern; seven each in Greater Accra and Upper East; five each in Oti, Upper West, Bono and Western North; three in Savannah, and two each in Bono East and North East.

It also made provision for a region­al hospital each in Oti, Bono, Bono East, Savannah, North East and Western North; two specialised hospitals in the middle and northern belts, a regional hospital in the Western Region, and renovation of the Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital.

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Source: Graphic Online

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