Send Ghana pushes for public health emergency funds

By Sandra Agyeiwaa OTOO

A non-governmental organisation, Send Ghana, has called for the establishment of Public Health Emergency Funds (PHEFs) at local government level to enhance preparedness and responses to health crises in Ghana.

The dialogue, under the theme ‘Domestic Resource Mobilisation for Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response in the Midst of Dwindling Donor Funding’, seeks to build public and political support for increasing budgetary allocations for public health emergencies – particularly epidemics – and to fast-track the Health Security Policy and Fund bill’s preparation and passage.

This aligns with government’s commitment to the Fund, as outlined in the 2022-2025 Medium-Term National Development Policy Framework.

The project has enjoyed support from the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service and selected Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the Greater Accra, Eastern, Central and Northern Regions over the years.

Harriet Nuamah Agyemang, Country Director-SEND Ghana, urged Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to create Public Health Emergency Funds (PHEFs) and secure financial support for them through internally generated funds (IGF) and voluntary community contributions.

“The local government ministry ensure that as many MMDAs as possible have their emergency committees functioning and are annually resourced through internally generated funds (IGF). Also, encourage MMDAs to have Public Health Emergency Funds (PHEFs),” she mentioned.

She added that Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) should set up a public health emergency fund and sensitise their communities so that they will make voluntary contributions to it.

She called on the Ministry of Health to fast-track revision of the Public Health Act to include an emergency fund, thus enhancing national preparedness and response efforts.

“We are hopeful that this dialogue wil motivate the Ministry of Health to fast-track the development of health security or public health policy and Fund as well as MMDAs to fund public health emergencies that emerge in their localities,” she stated.

She commended the Adaklu and Aligye Kwabre districts for including Epidemic Preparedness Responses in their 2023 to 2024 budgets for the first time – and recognised several assemblies like the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA), Keta North and Birim South for consistently increasing funding for emergency preparedness and response.

Rex Manu Yeboah, Deputy Director-Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, recognised the need for structured financing in public health emergencies and endorsed the call for a legal framework to regulate financial allocations.

“We need to create that public health emergency fund. It is important at every district. Even though USAID funding has been withdrawn, it is perhaps a blessing in disguise that will quicken us to rethink how to mobilise enough resources,” he said.

He noted that a legally mandated budgetary allocation would ensure consistent funding at the assembly level.

“If we should have a fixed percentage from the District Assemblies Common Fund dedicated to public health emergencies, then, of course, it becomes a law that can be enforced,” he noted.

The post Send Ghana pushes for public health emergency funds appeared first on The Business & Financial Times.

Read Full Story