By Michael Armah
Mem Chemfre (E/R), Dec. 6, GNA – The Networks of Practice (NoP), an initiative by the Ghana Health Service, has been launched at Mem Chemfre in the Kwahu Afram Plains North District in the Eastern Region.
The initiative which was launched on the theme “Accelerating towards universal health coverage with a strengthened Primary Health Care through the Network work of Practice approach” aims at achieving Universal Health Coverage by 2030.
Addressing stakeholders at the launch, Mr. Francis Apungu Kwotua, the District Director of the Ghana Health Service, indicated that over the past two decades, health system strengthening at the district level in Ghana had primarily focused on Community-Based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) and district hospitals, often neglecting health centers.
These health centers are intended to serve as a referral link between district hospitals, CHPS zones, and the communities in the district health system.
According to Mr Kwotua, the weakness was a major obstacle to achieving Universal Health Coverage.
He said Ghana’s Primary Health Care (PHC) strategy remained the bedrock to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) with a focus on improving health outcomes.
He also intimated that the initiative involved creating a health facility within a defined geographical area to provide comprehensive health services.
The networking, according to the District Director, allows a fluid system of managing and sharing resources without significant adjustment to the existing organizational structure.
He said the health centers shall be upgraded to attain the status of Model Health Centers (MoHC).
The networks therefore have the flexibility to manage and share available resources within and outside the Networks of Practice.
Speaking to the GNA after the launch, Mr. Kwotua indicated that the initiative recognized the complementary contributions of other stakeholders, such as the Christian Health Association of Ghana, the National Ambulance Service, the National Health Insurance Authority, the Health Facility Regulatory Agency (HeFRA), as well as Civil Society Organizations and the Private Sector, which were vital for leveraging the networks to improve coverage, innovation, and efficiency in the provision of healthcare.
Mrs. Mavis Adutwumwaa, a District Health Nurse, educated the stakeholders about their roles and responsibilities under the Networks of Practice Initiative and encouraged all to play their roles effectively.
A medical officer at the Donkorkrom Presbyterian Hospital, Dr. Adam Kasule urged the participants to periodically visit health centers for routine medical check- ups.
He said the rising incidence of hypertension was worrying as most people do not know their status till diagnosed.
For his part, the General Manager of the Donkorkrom Presbyterian Hospital, Mr. Fianko Gyan, encouraged health managers, staff, and relevant stakeholders within the Ghana Health Service and across other agencies to support the implementation of the initiative, as it aims to foster better collaboration and strengthen the health system.
The Kwahu Afram Plains North District has been divided into seven Networks, namely: Mem Chemfre NoP, Ntonaboma NoP, Cedikope NoP, Digya NoP, Amankwa NoP, Donkorkrom North NoP, and Donkorkrom South NoP.
GNA