The Country Coordinator of the Global Health Advocacy Incubator, Stephen Atasige, has emphasised the need for a dedicated budget line for public health emergencies, including immunisation and outbreak preparedness.
Speaking at a National Dialogue on Public Health Emergency Financing in Ghana, organised by SEND Ghana, on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, he pointed out the urgent need for proactive government interventions in securing funds for critical health initiatives. "I think the government, as we prepare to present the budget, it will be useful for us to consider a budget line for first public health ventures like immunisation, which is very crucial, and also for emergency preparedness and response.
This year alone, we've heard about the cholera outbreak, meningitis, and more.
And we know that there's a new possible outbreak that is looming. "All of these are signs that we have to get proactive by, first of all, ensuring that we have a budget line for this.
