Health sector to receive needed attention - Minister

Ms Mavis Ama Frimpong, Eastern Regional Minister- designate, has pledged to support to the Ghana Health service (GHS) to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths as well as HIV and AIDS prevalence.

Speaking at the opening of a three-day Regional Health Review meeting in Koforidua, the minister-designate said maternal and neonatal health and HIV and AIDS were all public health issues that had direct impact on the socio-economic development of the country.

She said, as a public health expert, she would put her expertise at the disposal of the regional health team to devise strategic approaches to sustainable care and services in public health areas.

Ms Frimpong said the 90/90/90 strategy adopted by the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC) in achieving 90 percent of people in the region voluntarily testing for their HIV status, 90 percent receiving care and treatment, and the last 90 percent reducing their viral loads by 2030, was achievable once there was commitment.

She said with commitment and team work, the PICCAM strategy devised to tackle maternal and neonatal deaths was also achievable and commended the Regional Director of Health and her team for the innovative strategy employed to advance the cause of a critical health care.

Dr Charity Sarpong, Regional Director of Health, said HIV, tuberculosis and malaria cases registered appreciable reduction in 2015 due to the enhanced surveillance and public education, training of health staff and distribution of Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs).

She said non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes continues to increase adding that hypertension increased from 94,962 in 2014 to 109,681 in 2015; whiles diabetes increased from 31,887 in 2014 to 36,857 in 2015.

Dr Albert Cole, a gyaenacologist and Director of Newlands Medical Centre in Koforidua, called for emphasis to be placed on systems and health protocols other than on individuals in order to sustain gains so that quality would not suffer in case a team leader was transferred.