Accra, (Greater Accra) Sept. 24, '98
Four hundred billion cedis has been voted for the improvement of facilitis in the health sector next year, Mr Samuel Nuamah-Dnkor, Minister of Heath designated said today. The amount is 10 billion cedis more than the 390 billon cedis voted for the same purpose this year. Mr Nuamah-Donkor, closing a three-day joint meeting between the ministry and its donor agencies in Accra. He said the ministry will increase support for the private sector with emphasis on the mission hospitals. He noted that over the years the mission hospitlas have been supportive in the improvement of the health delivery system in the country. He said 16 billion cedis will be given out in salaries personnel of mission hospitals personnel adding, for the first time an additional two billion cedis has been voted for the non-recurrent expenditure. Mission hospitals will also receive benefits from the exemption policy of government which include free medical care for the aged. "Some of them will also benefit from our programme of upgrading the theatre and other equipment of some selected 54 districts hospitals and eight polyclinics,''. Mr Nuamah-Donkor said. Mr Nuamah-Donkor said that for the first time, the ministry will ensure that the exemption policy which excludes the aged, pregnant women and children under five years from paying medical fees, becomes functional.
"The ministry has this year set seven billion cedis aside for the exemption policy and an estimated 10 billion cedis for 1999. '' He said that donors had pledged 65 billion dollars but promised additional financial assistance when the need arises. Mr Nuamah-Donkor said to foster closer links and ''ensure a participatory approach between the ministry and its partners, committees comprising of the ministry's staff, donor partners and other stakeholders has been set up. The committe will work together and delibrate on budgeting, finance, and health service delivery among others. Mrs Linda Humphery from the Department for International Development (DFID) expressed satisfaction for the ministry's utilisation of the funds provided and promised their continues support to the sector. Other donors represented include, Danish International Aid Agency (DANIDA), Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), and the United Nations Fund for Population Activities.
