Ghana has made remarkable strides towards strengthening primary healthcare delivery with the official handing over of essential medical equipment and the unveiling of key national policy and training documents to improve the prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).

The event, held under the auspices of the Ministry of Health and the GIZ, brought together officials of the Ghana Health Service, development partners, and health sector stakeholders to advance efforts aimed at expanding access to quality healthcare services, particularly at the primary level.

In his keynote address, the Minister for Health, Hon. Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, reiterated that efficient service delivery remains central to the Ministry’s mandate. He outlined government’s ongoing efforts to retool health facilities and improve service quality nationwide.

Hon. Akandoh expressed appreciation to GIZ and partners under the AYA Integrated Healthcare Initiative for aligning their support with government priorities, particularly in advancing the Free Primary Healthcare agenda.

Providing further context, he highlighted the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases and the urgent need for preventive interventions. He noted that the initiative would enhance early detection of conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, thereby reducing pressure on higher-level facilities and the National Health Insurance Scheme.

The Minister also clarified the distinction between the Free Primary Healthcare programme and the MahamaCares initiative, explaining that while the former focuses on delivering essential services at the basic level, the latter is intended to address financing gaps associated with the treatment of more complex and critical conditions.

He urged health facilities to ensure proper maintenance and optimal utilization of the equipment, stressing the importance of instituting mechanisms to safeguard and sustain the investment. He further conveyed the appreciation of the Government and people of Ghana to GIZ and AYA partners for their continued support to the health sector.

Delivering remarks on behalf of the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe described cardiovascular diseases as a leading cause of mortality in Ghana, with significant socio-economic implications for individuals and families. He emphasized that the newly launched guidelines represent a critical tool for transforming healthcare delivery and ensuring consistency in clinical practice.

He further noted that the intervention aligns with national health priorities, particularly the Free Primary Healthcare initiative, and assured stakeholders of the Service’s commitment to effective monitoring and implementation.

She noted that the AYA initiative is being implemented in close cooperation with the Ministry and the Ghana Health Service, with funding from Bayer, Sanofi, the Gates Foundation and with support from Panorama Global (a US charitable organization supported by donations from Eli Lilly and Company).

The programme also featured a presentation on the AYA Integrated Healthcare Initiative by Ms. Juliette Edzeame, a Project Manager at AYA. She explained that the initiative seeks to champion the prevention, early detection, and effective management of cardiovascular diseases in Ghana and is focused on enhancing service delivery at the primary healthcare level, in line with national priorities.

As part of the intervention, medical equipment and accessories valued at six million Ghana cedis was handed over for distribution to 179 health facilities across seven regions. The equipment, which includes defibrillators, blood pressure monitors, ECG machines, and weighing scales, is targeted at sub-district level facilities to enhance early diagnosis and management of CVDs.

In addition to the equipment, three key documents were officially launched to standardize care and strengthen capacity across the health system. These include the revised National Guidelines for the Management of Cardiovascular Diseases, the CHPS Implementation Booklet, and Integrated Facilitator’s Manuals for the training of doctors, physician assistants, and nurses.

Source: GHS