By: Henrietta Afful
Former Vice President of Ghana and the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has called for a paradigm shift in Ghana’s healthcare policies following consultations with the leadership of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) on challenges confronting the country’s health sector.
Dr. Bawumia made the call after meeting the National Executive Committee of the GMA at the Association’s headquarters at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital as part of his ongoing consultations with key stakeholders and identifiable groups across the country.
The meeting, which brought together GMA President Professor (Dr.) Ernest Yorke and other members of the Association’s leadership, focused on a range of issues affecting medical practice and healthcare delivery in Ghana.
Among the key concerns raised were the retention of health professionals, remuneration, the unequal distribution of doctors across the country, healthcare infrastructure and emergency preparedness.
The discussions also covered conditions of service, deprived-area allowances, the role of the private sector in healthcare delivery and the requirement by the Medical and Dental Council for doctors to write licensing examinations.
Dr. Bawumia said the engagement had strengthened his conviction that significant changes were required in the formulation and implementation of healthcare policies.
“Following our discussions, I am convinced that a paradigm shift is needed in our healthcare policies,” he said, adding that the GMA had presented ideas which, if implemented, could have a transformational impact on the welfare of medical doctors and the wider health sector.
He stressed the importance of collaboration among stakeholders in addressing the country’s healthcare challenges and building a system capable of responding effectively to the needs of patients and health professionals.
“Healthcare delivery is a collaborative mission,” Dr. Bawumia said.
He expressed appreciation to the leadership and members of the GMA for what he described as their candid contributions, insights and commitment to improving the wellbeing of Ghanaians.
The engagement forms part of Dr. Bawumia’s broader stakeholder consultations, through which he is seeking perspectives from professional bodies and other identifiable groups on key national issues.
