Ghana: Boost for TB case detection
The Ministries of Health, Finance and Economic Planning, and the Royal Netherlands, have signed a budgetary grant of 7.5 million EUR to accelerate tuberculosis case detection in Ghana.
The 7.5 million EUR, provided by Netherlands Government, covers 35 per cent of a total of 21 million EUR pledged for the project. The Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, stated that the agreement signed is in connection with the ORIO “Accelerating TB case detection in Ghana” project which aims at boosting the TB case detection rate and enhancing the diagnostic capacity of primary health care support through e-health infrastructure.
Dr Duffuor, disclosed that US$63.5 million of the grant facility goes to support the Health sector Medium Term Development Plan through a sector Budget Support (SBS) funding modality.
US$3.7million of the same grant facility goes to support the Christian Health Association of Ghana” he added.
According to him the grant support going to the Christian Health Association of Ghana is a confirmation of the importance the Government attaches to contribution of the private sector in the provision of healthcare services in Ghana, particularly in the rural areas.
The out-going Minister for Health, Mr Joseph Yieleh Chireh, indicated that the project consists of the fully integrated delivery and installation of various direct digital chest x-ray systems, including ICT facilities such as digital image data bases with back-up facilities provisions for computer aided image reading software, PACS and remote image reading capability, the delivery of microscopes and laboratory equipment and the operation of all equipment by skilled health workers.
Mr Chireh noted that the project falls under the responsibility of the Ministry Health and Ghana Health Services and is closely linked to other TB related programmes supported by the Global Fund and World Health Organisation.
The Royal Netherland Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Gerald Duijfjes said in addition to its support to the Ministry of Health, the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) will continue its longstanding partnership with the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), with the joint objective of promoting the health needs of the poor and vulnerable across the country.
The Chief Executive of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Prof Nii Otu Nartey, appealed on behalf of the Board and Management that a portion of this Danish support be set aside for the completion of the four additional floors of the Reproductive Health Sector of the Hospital.
“The completion of the building would help us in the relocation part of the reproductive and family planning service from Chenard area to this centre. This will enable us offer comprehensive reproductive and family planning service to patients in a dignified and befitting environment.” He added.
Ghana Government
http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/news/general-news/10686-boost-for-tb-case-detection
