The Deputy Minister for Health, Alexander Akwasi Acquah on behalf of the Minister, Dr Bernard Oko Boye has launched two digital platforms, the National Health Database and the Health Facilities Regulatory Authority's (HeFRA) Digitized Health Facility Assessment Platform.

The event which took place on September 6, 2024, also served as the conclusion of the six-year USAID Health Systems Strengthening Accelerator Project, a collaboration between the Government of Ghana, USAID, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The project has been instrumental in advancing Ghana's ambition to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030.

In his address on behalf of the sector minister Alexander Akwasi Acquah who doubles as the Member of Parliament for the Akim Oda constituency in the Eastern Region, acknowledged the contribution of the Accelerator Project while lamenting its conclusion. "Over the past six years, this partnership has been a pillar of transformation, driving our nation's ambition to achieve UHC by 2030," he said.

He highlighted the Accelerator's role in expanding primary healthcare through its Networks of Practice (NoP) model. "With over 90 networks covering 400 health facilities across seven regions, the model has strengthened access to essential health services, ensuring no Ghanaian is left behind," he added.

Alexander Akwasi Acquah also launched HeFRA's Digitized Health Facility Assessment Platform, a tool designed to improve the quality and safety of healthcare services in Ghana.

He emphasized the need for continuous collaboration to sustain the progress made. "The legacy of The Accelerator, strengthened governance, improved equitable access to healthcare, and enhanced health information systems, will continue to shape our health sector for years to come." The newly launched National Health Database, supported by the Accelerator Project, is expected to revolutionize health data management across the country.

The database will consolidate data from various agencies under the Ministry of Health, enabling more informed decision-making and policy formulation.

The platform will streamline the assessment process for health facilities, which previously relied on manual registration forms.

Speaking on behalf of USAID Acting Deputy Mission Director, Zohra Balsara, Dr Stephen Duku a health financing specialist at USAID praised the collaborative efforts that allowed Ghana to navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He noted on behalf of the Deputy Mission Director that USAID supported the establishment of the "COVID-19 war room" to provide real-time data analysis and strategic direction during the height of the pandemic. "In the area of health insurance, USAID's support helped create the Health Preventive and Promotive Benefits Package, which has improved early detection of non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes.

The initiative has also led to increased enrollment in the NHIS." Dr Linda Vanotoo, a senior programme director at R4D called for more collaborative efforts and effective use of digital platforms.

The Accelerator Project has driven major reforms in several areas of Ghana's health system, including the development of the Health Sector Medium Term Development Plan (2022-2025) and the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme's (NHIS) expanded benefits package, which now includes 68 essential health services.

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