Akufo-Addo Hails Unprecedented Achievements in Ghana’s Health Sector

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has highlighted the significant achievements of his administration in the health sector, describing the progress made as unprecedented. Speaking at the commissioning of the Urology and Nephrology Centre of Excellence at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital on October 18, the President emphasized that his government’s efforts to enhance healthcare infrastructure will greatly improve access and services for Ghanaians.

A key focus of his address was the ambitious Agenda 111 project, which is set to revolutionize Ghana’s healthcare infrastructure. The project, aimed at constructing hospitals across various districts in the country, is expected to make a transformative impact on healthcare delivery once completed. President Akufo-Addo assured Ghanaians that Agenda 111 will significantly expand the nation’s capacity to provide essential medical services, particularly in underserved areas.

“From 2017 to August this year, we’ve added some 8,665 hospital beds for admission, that is, from 24,153 hospital beds in 2016 to 32,818 hospital beds by August 2024,” the President stated, emphasizing that this represents a 36% increase in bed capacity. This expansion, he noted, underscores his administration’s commitment to enhancing healthcare infrastructure, which is crucial to meeting the growing demand for medical services. The President also pointed out that the Agenda 111 project will further boost the total number of hospital beds available nationwide.

Beyond infrastructure, President Akufo-Addo highlighted the government’s strides in reducing maternal, adolescent, and child mortality rates, which are critical indicators of progress in healthcare delivery. The Institutional Maternal Mortality Ratio (IMMR), which measures the number of maternal deaths per 100 live births in health institutions, has seen a marked improvement. “The IMMR has declined steadily from 127.3 deaths per 100 live births in 2018 to 102.1 per 100 live births in recent years,” the President remarked, noting that this reduction is a testament to the effectiveness of government policies aimed at improving maternal healthcare.

In addition to maternal mortality, significant improvements have been recorded in reducing neonatal, infant, and under-five mortality rates. These gains reflect the broader effort by the government to address healthcare challenges that affect the most vulnerable segments of the population—children and mothers.

Despite these achievements, President Akufo-Addo acknowledged that challenges remain, particularly in ensuring equitable access to healthcare services for all children across the country. He noted that while the overall mortality rates have improved, disparities in healthcare access persist, especially in rural areas. To address these gaps, the government is working to expand healthcare services to ensure that all Ghanaians, regardless of their location, can receive the care they need.

The President also linked the achievements in the health sector to Ghana’s broader efforts to meet the targets outlined in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically, the government is committed to reducing maternal mortality to 70% per 100,000 live births and under-five mortality to 12 per 1,000 live births by 2030. Achieving these targets will require sustained investment in healthcare infrastructure, service delivery, and the expansion of access to medical services across the country.

The commissioning of the Urology and Nephrology Centre of Excellence at Korle Bu represents another milestone in the government’s efforts to modernize healthcare facilities and provide specialized medical services. The center, which will offer advanced care for patients with urological and kidney-related conditions, is expected to enhance the capacity of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital to provide cutting-edge treatments for a wide range of medical conditions.

President Akufo-Addo concluded his address by reaffirming his administration’s commitment to improving healthcare services and infrastructure. He called on healthcare professionals and stakeholders to continue supporting the government’s efforts to achieve its healthcare goals. “These achievements reflect our dedication to improving healthcare services in advancing towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals,” he said, underscoring the importance of collaboration between the government and healthcare providers in delivering quality medical care to all Ghanaians.

As the government moves forward with its healthcare agenda, President Akufo-Addo expressed confidence that the ongoing initiatives, including Agenda 111 and the expansion of hospital bed capacity, will leave a lasting legacy in Ghana’s healthcare system. These projects, he noted, will not only address the immediate healthcare needs of the population but also lay the foundation for a more resilient and accessible healthcare system in the future.

In conclusion, President Akufo-Addo’s speech at the commissioning of the Urology and Nephrology Centre of Excellence highlighted the significant strides his administration has made in the health sector. From increasing hospital bed capacity to reducing maternal and child mortality rates, the government’s efforts are aimed at building a robust healthcare system that meets the needs of all Ghanaians. While challenges remain, particularly in ensuring equitable access to healthcare, the President’s message was clear: his administration is committed to delivering on its healthcare promises and achieving its long-term goals for the benefit of the nation.