Hot!
KOICA collaborates with KH Medicals to establish medical diagnosis center.
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has collaborated with KH Medical Africa, to establish a medical diagnosis center, to improve the delivery of quality healthcare in the country.
The facility which was officially opened yesterday in Accra will provide diagnostic solutions, including molecular diagnostic kits that utilize DNA-based technologies to identify and analyse material, enabling precise and sensitive detection of pathogens, genetic mutation, and other biomarkers.
The Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr Anthony Nsiah-Asare, who was at the opening ceremony, thanked KOICA for their immense continuous contributions towards the improvement of Ghana’s healthcare delivery.
He said about 91 of the construction works on the ‘Agenda 111’ district, specialized, and regional hospitals are ongoing across the country.
He said by the end of the second quarter of next year, the majority of the projects would be completed to augment the government’s effort, in providing accessible and quality healthcare for Ghanaians.
He said the expected projects to be completed next year, include regional hospitals, accommodations for health personnel, as well as modern equipment to ensure the delivery of quality healthcare
Dr Nsiah-Asare said that, since most of the ‘Agenda 111 facilities were targeted at improving healthcare in the rural areas, the government was considering the construction of bungalows for health personnel who would be working in these facilities.
He said plans were also far advanced for the construction and production of a vaccine manufacturing hub, to prepare for any eventualities as witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said this follows the recommendations of the African Union (AU) for members to adequately invest in the area of vaccines, in tackling future pandemics, which the government was working tirelessly to ensure the production of vaccines.
“There is a strong collaboration between the Food and Drug Authority (FDA) and developing partners like the European Union, and the GIZ to ensure the successful construction and production of the vaccine hub.
We are following the recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO) for the processes leading to the production of these vaccines,” Dr Nsiah-Asare said.
He said the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, was also part of the team of ensuring Ghana established a vaccine research institute, adding that, a board has been instituted to oversee the works leading to the establishment of the institute.
The KOICA Country Director, Mr Donghyun Lee, said, KOICA firmly believed in the importance of providing an accessible universal healthcare system for Ghanaians.
He was hopeful the facility would significantly contribute to bolstering the healthcare system of the country, to ensure inclusive, affordable, and accessible healthcare.
Mr Lee said the establishment of the KOICA-KH Centre was an innovative diagnostic laboratory, aimed at providing comprehensive clinical diagnostic testing services in areas of DNA-based technologies and immunoassay diagnostic.
BY BERNARD BENGHAN
The First Lady, Lordina Dramani Mahama, has announced that the government will soon launch a Free Primary Health Care Programme aimed at improving access to healthcare across the country.
She said the initiative, which will be launched by her husband, John Dramani Mahama, will provide free primary healthcare services at facilities such as the Anyima Health Centre.
Mrs. Mahama made the announcement during the commissioning of the newly renovated Anyima Health Centre in Anyima, Brong Ahafo region.
According to her, the programme is expected to increase the use of health services, support early detection of diseases, reduce healthcare costs for families and improve the overall health and productivity of citizens.
“My husband, President John Dramani Mahama, will soon launch the Free Primary Health Care Programme, which will provide free care at facilities like the Anyima Health Centre,” she said.
Handing over the facility to the community, the First Lady urged health workers who will serve at the centre to treat patients with dignity and compassion.
She encouraged them to work towards ensuring zero maternal mortality and zero infant mortality at the facility.
Mrs. Mahama further called on residents of Anyima to take full ownership of the health centre by keeping it in good condition and making good use of its services.
She appealed to traditional leaders in the area to help protect the facility so that it can continue to serve the health needs of the community for many years.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Vice President, Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has called for stronger action to promote gender equity and create more opportunities for women in the workplace.
She made the call in a Facebook post after joining staff at the Presidency of Ghana to mark International Women’s Day.
The celebration was held under the theme “From Commitment to Action: Promoting Equity for Every Woman in the Workplace” and focused on recognising the achievements of women while reflecting on the work needed to ensure equal opportunities.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang extended warm wishes to women across Ghana and noted that women have always played key roles in the country’s communities and economic activities.
According to her, women in the past served as healers, traders and queen mothers who contributed to leadership and governance in traditional societies.
She explained that Ghana’s cultural history shows that women have long provided knowledge, leadership and innovation to help develop communities.
The Vice President however noted that current disparities require society to examine systems and structures that may have limited opportunities for women.
She stressed that advancing gender equity will require deliberate actions and the mentoring of young women to prepare them for leadership roles.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang recognised women whose work takes place in markets, streets and small trading spaces across the country.
According to her, these women form the backbone of local economies and continue to demonstrate resilience despite the difficult conditions they face.
She commended women working at the Presidency for their dedication and leadership and reaffirmed the need to promote respect, fairness and opportunity for every woman.
The Vice President further called on both men and women to work together to break barriers and ensure that women can fully contribute to Ghana’s development.
By: Jacob Aggrey
