Accra: Dr Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe, Director of Public Health, Ghana Health Service (GHS), has called for multi-faceted approaches in the quest to strengthen Ghana's public health system. He emphasized the need for increased funding, investment in infrastructure, and re-orienting services toward primary and preventive care.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr Asiedu-Bekoe highlighted the importance of improving vaccine confidence through targeted messaging, community engagement, and addressing rumors and myths to enhance vaccine uptake. The insights were shared during a webinar organized by Africa Media and Malaria Research Network (AMMREN) and National Vaccine Institute (NVI) for journalists.
Dr Asiedu-Bekoe noted that Ghana's public health system has been responsive to health needs and challenges through primary health care delivery and responses to threats such as COVID-19, Marburg, Cholera, and Mpox. The system serves as a crucial component of a resilient health infrastructure, acting as the first line of defense against pandemics.
He remarked that Ghana is committed to improving its public health system by promptly detecting and responding to infectious diseases and promoting preventive measures. Key focus areas include enhancing public health spending through initiatives like free primary health care and the newly launched Ghana Medical Trust Fund for non-communicable diseases.
The government plans to increase National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) funding by uncapping the fund, significantly improving access to health care. Dr Asiedu-Bekoe also highlighted the importance of infrastructure investment, including retooling health facilities, strengthening medical training and research, and fostering financial and technical partnerships with international bodies.
Immunization is emphasized as one of the most effective tools for safeguarding children's health. The Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) has notably reduced infant and under-five mortality, contributing to a decline from 111/1000 LB in 2003 to 40/1000 LB in 2022 and the elimination of neonatal tetanus in 2011.
Dr Asiedu-Bekoe stressed the importance of vaccine confidence, citing trust in government-recommended vaccines and healthcare providers as crucial. Factors affecting confidence include concerns about safety and side effects, myths, misinformation, religious beliefs, and demographics.
Dr Selorm Kutsoati, Acting Programme Manager of the Expanded Programme of Immunisation, highlighted achievements in conquering childhood vaccine-preventable diseases, such as the absence of wild polio virus cases since 2008 and no reported measles deaths between 2003 and 2021.
Dr Kutsoati acknowledged challenges like reliance on partners for support, inadequate cold chain equipment, vaccination coverage inequities, workforce burnout, anti-vaccine lobbyists, and hesitancy toward adult vaccines. She stressed the vital role of media in public education, combating misinformation, and promoting vaccine confidence.
She advocated for media engagement at both community and national levels to build trust, counter misinformation, and support immunization activities. Dr Kutsoati called for partnerships with health authorities to set agendas for discussions on immunization.