Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia says he was impressed with the medical innovations being implemented by the young men and women in the healthcare delivery chain, especially with the use of Information Communication Technology, (ICT) to deliver essential health care.
According to the Vice President, the Akufo-Addo led government is committed to transforming Ghana through the use of technology, and the application of ICT in healthcare delivery is a key plank of this vision.
Vice President Dr. Bawumia made these remarks when joined Annual General Meeting and Public Lecture of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana in Accra.
Dr. Bawumia, who was the Guest of Honour at the first Public Lecture organized by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana as part of their 2019 Annual General Meeting, said “we should not be afraid to be global leaders in the area of digital transformation. “
“I stated that we should not be afraid to be global leaders in the area of digital transformation.
We should not be waiting for the advanced countries to take the lead before we follow. We are just as capable of taking the lead in some areas. We should have the confidence to innovate”
He therefore challenged the Pharmacists and others in the healthcare delivery chain to leverage technology and radically improve access to essential medical supplies.
“Given what I heard and saw this evening, I am confident that a year from now, the prescription and delivery of medicines and health care would be even more technologically-enabled, as Government works in partnership with the private sector to make health care delivery more accessible to the ordinary Ghanaian.” He said.
Vice President Bawumia intimated that there is an urgent need to ensure the availability of quality and essential medicines for all even as the country strives to attain the Universal Healthcare Goal of the SDGs.
He called for strategic partnership among pharmacists and other stakeholders to come out with innovative ideas to help improve healthcare delivery in the country.
Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana has over the years ensured that this vision is achieved by continuously leveraging on new technologies to get essential medicines and vaccines closer to all. This year’s AGM and Public Lecture brought together pharmacists across the country and beyond to deliberate on ways to digitize the access to essential medicines.
The President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana, Pharm Benjamin Kwame Botwe said the industry is leveraging with the evolving trends in technology to deliver quality services. He lauded government for introducing the delivery of essential medicines through the use of drones, announcing that the Pharmaceutical industry will also introduce a One-District-One -Model Pharm in the country.
The World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa, (WHO-AFRO), Advisor on Digital Health, Derrick Muneene, speaking of the theme: “Pharmacy in a Digital World,” said despite the benefits of digitalization, it should be regulated in order to minimize its potential negative effects.
The week-long event will see members of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana engage the public on the abuse of drugs, among other things.