GH¢3 billion for healthcare in 2015

Source: starrfmonline.com  -  President John Mahama has announced that GH¢3 billion will be dedicated to healthcare delivery in the country.

He indicated that since a “good economy resides in the health of the people”, the Mahama-led administration finds it prudent to invest in the sector.

The President announced this while delivering the State of the Nation Address in Parliament Thursday.

He said the number of projects being executed nationwide will add about 6000 new hospital beds between 2015 and 2017.

President Mahama noted that 13 district hospitals are being constructed to bring healthcare to the people, naming Salaga, Twifo Praso, Madina as some of the districts to benefit from the project.

He also disclosed that a second Military Hospital will be established in the Ashanti regional capital, Kumasi this year.

President Mahama added that the 500-bed Military hospital is likely to be named 37 Military Hospital, Kumasi.

He stated that 15 Polyclinics will be started this year with 10 in the Central Region and five in the Greater Accra region.

Furthermore, President Mahama said Government has completed some district hospitals across the country.

These include a 120-bed facility at Dodowa, Fomena, Kumawu, Abetifi, Garu Tempane and Sekondi-Takoradi.

He added that a 60-bed hospital is currently underway at Tepa, Nsawkaw, Konongo, Madina, Salaga and Twifo-Praso.

According to President Mahama, the provision of modern diagnostic and treatment equipment under the National Medical Equipment Replacement Programme has been expanded to cover 150 hospitals across the country.

Teaching Hospitals, all Regional Hospitals, 125 District Hospitals, 14 Health Centers and 8 mobile clinics have benefited from the programme.

Hospitals on the National Health Insurance Scheme can now heave a sigh of relief as the President indicates that a portion of outstanding claims is being disbursed to health providers this week.

He also indicated that the fraud detection capacity of the scheme will be strengthened in order to eliminate, detect and sanction facilities and personnel who take advantage of the system.

He said the cause of the fire that destroyed drugs worth GH?356 million is being investigated, while short-term measures have been put in place to mitigate the impact of the blaze.

The Ministry of Health, according to the President is reviewing the Health Sector Supply Chain Master Plan with a view of improving the system of procurement.