By: Savannah Pokuaah Duah
In a bid to combat the growing threat of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in Ghana, the Ministry of Health (MoH), led by Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, convened a high-level stakeholder validation workshop in Accra.
The workshop was part of the AYA Integrated Healthcare Initiative, a collaboration between the MoH, Ghana Health Service, with technical support from Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
The event had Key Stakeholders from across the health sector like; policymakers, clinicians, health sector partners, civil society, and academia, to review and validate the revised 2019 national guidelines.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Minister for Health, the Deputy Minister, Prof. Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to tackling non-communicable diseases, especially cardiovascular conditions, which remain the leading cause of death in Ghana.
“Cardiovascular diseases are a silent epidemic. Our hospitals are increasingly overwhelmed by complications that could have been prevented through early diagnosis and consistent care,” she stated.
“Under the Mahama administration, we are strengthening primary healthcare and removing financial barriers to chronic care through the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, popularly known as MahamaCare. This flagship initiative will support the poor and vulnerable and invest in innovations that bring care closer to the people,” she added.
Dr. Ayensu-Danquah further emphasized the need for robust partnerships in confronting the growing NCD burden, stating, “Achieving our national targets for non-communicable diseases requires shared responsibility and strong collaboration across borders and sectors. The AYA Integrated Healthcare Initiative, with support from GIZ, is a testament to the kind of strategic alliance we need to drive real impact.”
It is expected that the draft guidelines will be validated, and the input of stakeholders incorporated into the final document.
AYA is implemented by GIZ International Services, in close collaboration with Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service, funded by Bayer AG, Sanofi, Gates Foundation, and with support from Panorama Global (a US charitable organisation supported by donations from Eli Lilly and Company).
