Bawumia lists seven significant NPP health sector reforms.

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), recently highlighted key initiatives by the NPP government aimed at transforming Ghana’s healthcare sector. Speaking in Ejisu at the launch of a new TeleHealth app, Dr. Bawumia detailed seven significant interventions that he believes are addressing critical challenges in the health system inherited by the Akufo-Addo administration.

1. Restoration of Nursing Trainee Allowance:
Dr. Bawumia emphasized the importance of supporting healthcare personnel, particularly nursing trainees. He noted that the NPP restored the nursing trainee allowances that had been discontinued by the previous administration, helping to ensure a steady supply of trained professionals into the healthcare system.

2. One Constituency, One Ambulance:
In response to the scarcity of ambulances nationwide, Dr. Bawumia shared how the NPP introduced the “One Constituency, One Ambulance” initiative. “When we came into office, there were only 37 active ambulances across the country. Now, there are 307 ambulances,” he noted, a significant improvement for emergency response capabilities.

3. Revival of NHIS with Expanded Coverage:
According to Dr. Bawumia, the NPP revived the struggling National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), addressing accumulated debts from unpaid claims. The scheme’s coverage has since expanded to include sickle cell patients, children with cancer, and dialysis treatment for kidney patients.

4. Agenda 111:
The Agenda 111 initiative, which was conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic, aims to build hospitals in areas without regional and district facilities. Dr. Bawumia said that once completed, these hospitals will help create jobs for over 70,000 health workers.

5. Drone Delivery of Medical Supplies:
Dr. Bawumia also highlighted the use of drones to deliver essential medical supplies to remote areas. Managed entirely by Ghanaians, the system operates from six centers, delivering supplies to over 2,000 health centers nationwide, significantly improving access to critical medications in emergencies.

6. E-Health Digitalization of Patient Records:
To reduce the loss of patient records, particularly during transfers, the NPP government has digitized patient records across all public hospitals. According to Dr. Bawumia, this network enables all hospitals, from teaching hospitals to polyclinics, to access records seamlessly. Plans are underway to expand this system to include community-based health planning and services (CHPS) compounds by next year.

7. E-Pharmacy Platform:
In 2019, Dr. Bawumia proposed the idea of an e-pharmacy platform to the Pharmaceutical Council, and now over 2,000 pharmacies are integrated into it. This online platform makes it easier for Ghanaians to purchase medications conveniently and securely.

8. Launch of the TeleHealth Application:
Finally, Dr. Bawumia launched the TeleHealth app, designed to provide virtual healthcare access, saving time and reducing the need for physical hospital visits. He noted that this app would be particularly beneficial for individuals who face difficulties getting to a healthcare facility.

Dr. Bawumia believes these initiatives will continue to bring positive changes to Ghana’s healthcare system, ensuring quality healthcare is more accessible to all Ghanaians.