Govt considers private health providers as partners, not competitors – Akandoh

The Minister of Health, Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has affirmed that the government views private health providers as partners rather than competitors in the delivery of quality healthcare. He emphasized that private health operators are vital allies in the collective effort to ensure efficient and sustainable health services for Ghanaians.

Mr Akandoh made the remarks during the opening of the two-day National Conference of the Private Health Facilities Association of Ghana (PHFAoG) held at Sokode-Lokoe, near Ho. The conference, themed “Unlocking Opportunities, Leveraging Government’s Private Health Sector,” attracted over 200 private health facility operators from all sixteen regions of the country.

The Minister noted that private hospitals, maternity homes, and clinics are often the first point of care for citizens, underscoring the need for strong regulatory systems to ensure that private health facilities meet approved standards.

He highlighted the role of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) as a cornerstone for quality health delivery, adding that the “Mahama Care programme” would be implemented by both private and public providers to address chronic and life-threatening conditions, including cancer.

Dr Winfred Korletey Baah, Registrar of the Health Facilities Regulatory Agency (HEFRA), praised the country’s regulatory framework for maintaining trust and safety in healthcare delivery. He, however, cautioned that some operators undermine the systems in place, stressing the importance of compliance to ensure sustained quality services across both private and public facilities.

FROM SAMUEL AGBEWODE, SOKODE-LOKOE

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