By: Savannah Pokuaah Duah
The Deputy Minister of Health, Prof. Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, has emphasized the crucial role of surgery in saving lives while addressing the pressing need for improved surgical care in Ghana.
During a two-day Surgical Dialogue organized by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with Operation Smile and Mercy Ships, she stated, “Surgery saves lives. It restores dignity, prevents disability, and provides hope where there was once despair.”
The event, themed “Bridging the Gap: Policy, Practice and People in Ghana’s Surgical Journey,” brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to discuss urgent matters regarding national surgical policies, clinical practices, and the necessity of centering people in surgical care.
Prof. Dr. Ayensu-Danquah highlighted the importance of training and deploying additional specialists,including surgeons, anaesthetists, oncologists, cardiologists, nurses, and biomedical engineers,who are essential for managing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and complex health conditions.
Despite significant progress over the past two decades in enhancing healthcare infrastructure and medical training, she acknowledged that critical gaps remain. Many rural areas still lack access to basic surgical services, and there is an uneven distribution of the surgical workforce that leaves some regions underserved.
In her address, the Deputy Minister introduced the Mahama Cares initiative, which aims to transform the approach to preventing, detecting, and treating NCDs in Ghana. “Mahama Cares prioritizes prevention by incorporating screening and early detection into primary healthcare, broadening access to essential medications, and enhancing referral systems for specialized care,” she explained.
Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, Mr. Desmond Boateng, echoed these sentiments, noting that numerous Ghanaians continue to face challenges in accessing safe and affordable surgical services. “The gaps between urban and rural healthcare, delays in treatment, and the financial strain on patients underscore the urgent need for systemic reforms,” he stated.
Chairman of the Implementation Steering Committee for Ghana’s National Surgical Obstetrics and Anaesthesia Plan (NSOAP), Dr. John Nkrumah Mills, called for government action to integrate NSOAP into the National Health System. He asserted that SOTA care should be recognized as a right rather than a privilege to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The dialogue also featured a high-level panel discussion focused on shaping surgical policy, financing surgical care in Ghana, and innovations in SOTA care delivery. Participants included surgeons, nurses, anaesthetists, biomedical engineers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, researchers, advocates, and international development partners from various organizations.
This important Surgical Dialogue in Ghana was made possible through funding from Operation Smile and Mercy Ships in close partnership with the Ministry of Health and support from Stanbic Bank Ghana.
