MSD has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ghana’s efforts to strengthen healthcare services, improve access to treatment and develop more sustainable ways of financing care, with a particular focus on women’s health.
The pharmaceutical company is co-convening a high-level policy roundtable in Accra with Africa Health Business (AHB), bringing together policymakers, healthcare professionals, oncology specialists, insurers, development partners, civil society organisations and private-sector representatives.The meeting, being held at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel, comes as Ghana continues to work towards universal health coverage and reforms aimed at making healthcare more accessible and financially sustainable.
For MSD’s External Affairs Director for sub-Saharan Africa, Vuyo Mjekula, the focus is not simply on providing medicines but on working with different sectors to strengthen health systems.“At MSD, our commitment to sub-Saharan Africa goes far beyond delivering healthcare solutions; we are dedicated to partnering across sectors to build sustainable, high-performing health systems that leave no woman behind.”She said long-term cooperation between government, healthcare providers and other partners would be needed to turn national health policies into practical improvements for patients. “Addressing the implementation of national healthcare strategies requires long-term collaboration, innovation, and policy alignment,”she said.
Focus on financing and access
Ghana is at an important stage in its efforts to achieve universal health coverage while dealing with the financial pressures associated with healthcare. Recent initiatives include the establishment of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as “Mahama Cares”, which is intended to provide financial support for people living with non-communicable diseases.The country is also working to strengthen its National Health Insurance Scheme under the Ghana Health Financing Strategy 2023–2030.These developments have placed sustainable healthcare financing high on the national agenda, particularly for diseases that can require long-term and costly treatment. The Accra roundtable looked at how the different parts of the health system can work together to reduce barriers to care and protect patients from high out-of-pocket costs.
Three areas at the centre of discussions
The discussions are focused on three main areas. The first is strengthening health system capacity, including improving infrastructure and services across the healthcare system so patients can access care more easily. The second is sustainable financing and purchasing. This includes examining health insurance reforms and purchasing systems that could reduce the amount patients have to pay directly for treatment.The discussions are focused on three main areas. The third is multi-sectoral collaboration, bringing together government, development organisations, the private sector and civil society to find longer-term solutions to healthcare challenges. Women’s cancer care is an important part of the discussion, with the participants examining ways to improve access and ensure that national health strategies translate into better outcomes for patients.
MSD remains committed to playing a constructive role as a long-term partner across sub-Saharan Africa, supporting policy implementation, advancing health equity, and facilitating dialogue that strengthens health systems and expands sustainable access to care for women.
About MSD
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