Ghana Health Service Touts New Initiative as Key to Strengthening Primary Healthcare
WA — Dr Andrews Ayim, a Deputy Director at the Ghana Health Service (GHS), has asserted that the Network of Practice (NoP) initiative is poised to fortify Ghana’s primary healthcare system.
According to Ghana News Agency, a report during a stakeholder’s orientation forum in Wa, Dr Ayim explained that the NoP is integral to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) at the primary care level, focusing on enhancing quality health services, fostering partnerships, and spurring innovation. The Deputy Director, who manages the Policy Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Division at the GHS, emphasized the initiative’s role in creating a network of health facilities within specific geographical areas to deliver comprehensive health services.
The forum, which included Municipal and District Health Directors, as well as representatives from health-related Civil Society Organizations, was convened to clarify the NoP concept, delineate roles and responsibilities, and build synergies for its successful regional implementation.
Dr Ayim pointed out that the implementation guidelines for NoP were the result of extensive consultations and consensus-building among various stakeholders of the Ministry of Health and its development partners. These guidelines are intended to serve as a comprehensive resource on essential concepts, definitions, procedures, and processes.
He highlighted that Ghana’s primary healthcare strategy is foundational to the country’s push for universal healthcare, citing significant improvements in healthcare utilization, maternal health, immunization services, and child health as outcomes of the strategy.
Despite these gains, Dr Ayim recognized persistent challenges, including inefficient referral systems, provider-payment mechanisms, and capacity to deliver basic primary healthcare services. The NoP initiative, according to the Deputy Director, could address these issues by reducing fragmentation in service coordination, facilitating access to primary healthcare, and optimizing resources.
‘The NoP initiative will be adapted to work within existing health structures, allowing providers to collaborate effectively in delivering services to populations within their geographic areas. It aims to fill service gaps, share resources, and manage performance to offer high-quality, patient-centered care for common health conditions,’ said Dr Ayim.
Envisioning the guidelines as a reference and management tool for health sector stakeholders, he encouraged all health managers and staff to endorse the NoP initiative, aiming to enhance collaboration and strengthen the health system.
Dr Damien Punguyire, Upper West Regional Director of Health Services, shared that the NoP had undergone a pilot phase in the Sissala East Municipality and Nadowli-Kaleo District, with promising indications of its positive impact on the sub-districts’ health systems.
Mr Adams Walid, an Assistant Director at the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council, praised the policy as visionary and underscored its potential to significantly improve health outcomes for communities.