Health Minister, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, engaged with senior management from the World Bank on Tuesday, April 7, to discuss the government’s strategic priorities in the healthcare sector.
During the meeting, the Minister outlined key health goals, including the local production of 60% of drugs and vaccines by 2030.
This ambitious initiative aims to reduce Ghana’s dependency on imported pharmaceutical products, lower healthcare costs, and boost the country’s capacity to meet its own health needs.
Hon. Akandoh highlighted the government’s efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure, expand access to essential services, and address financial barriers to healthcare.
He emphasized the importance of long-term sustainability in the health sector, with a focus on ensuring that all Ghanaians can access affordable healthcare.
The Minister also outlined plans for the introduction of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, which will provide coverage for the treatment of chronic diseases not currently included in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Hon. Akandoh also addressed concerns regarding vaccine shortages. With vaccine stocks set to run out in the next three months, he revealed that the National Health Insurance Authority has allocated 5 million U.S. dollars to fund the procurement of new vaccines.
“When I took over office, I realized that the level of the stocks we have for vaccines are very low and we will be running out of stock very soon. So, we have instructed the National Health Insurance to release an amount of about 5 million U.S dollars so that we can start the processes of purchasing new ones so that we don’t completely run out of stock in the country,” said the Minister.
He emphasized the government’s long-term goal of financing its own vaccine needs by 2030. “By 2030, we will have to take up the full responsibility, so we are taking steps to be able to sustain the supply of these vaccines in the system without the assistance of Gavi or any foreign partner,” he stated.
The Minister also underscored the role of local vaccine production in achieving this objective, noting that the country is already advancing in this direction with the establishment of the National Vaccines Institute and partnerships with local pharmaceutical companies.
“So, one of the steps we have taken is to make sure that at least the ones we can manufacture locally we do that. Now, we have the National Vaccines Institute in place and we have other local pharmaceutical players who have also come on board and so we are at the very advanced stage and I think that when we collaborate with them, we may be able to produce some of these vaccines locally,” he added.
Aichatou Cisse, Senior Country Manager for GAVI, The Vaccine Alliance, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting Ghana’s vaccine efforts.
“We are partners, and we can support if we get offers that we need to do so. But it’s the decision of the government and they can come to us for support. Gavi has longer experience in vaccine procurement and working with vaccine manufacturers so we can build a partnership on this, but we will just follow the lead of Ghana,” she said.
Since 2001, GAVI has played a crucial role in improving immunization access in Ghana, strengthening vaccination programs and enhancing child health outcomes.
Hon. Akandoh also acknowledged the importance of continued international collaboration, emphasizing that partnerships with organizations like GAVI and the World Bank are essential to achieving Ghana’s health goals.
He reiterated the need for innovative solutions and resources to meet the country’s evolving healthcare needs, ensuring that all citizens can access quality healthcare services.
