The Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church has expressed its readiness to partner with the government to complete and operationalise some of the Agenda 111 hospital projects across the country.
The commitment was made when a delegation from the Ghana Adventist Health Services of the SDA Church, led by Dr James Antwi, paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh.
During the engagement, the delegation presented a proposal outlining four key areas in which the church could support Ghana’s healthcare delivery system. These are trauma care, holistic wellness, oncology and cancer treatment, as well as rehabilitation and other health services.
The proposal seeks to establish the SDA Church as a strategic partner in expanding access to quality healthcare, particularly in underserved communities.
Responding to the offer, Mr Akandoh said government alone could not meet the increasing demands of the country’s health sector and called for stronger collaboration with faith-based organisations and private healthcare providers.
He specifically appealed to the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) and private healthcare operators to identify Agenda 111 facilities they could support and help complete and operationalise.
“Government alone cannot meet the growing demands of the health sector,” the Minister said, urging faith-based and private-sector organisations to contribute to efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure and access.
Mr Akandoh assured potential partners that government would provide the necessary guidance and support to facilitate the completion of the projects.
He clarified that the proposed partnerships would not require organisations to provide funds directly to government but would involve direct support towards the completion of specific health facilities.
Government Plans Six New Regional Hospitals
On healthcare infrastructure, the Health Minister disclosed that government plans to construct six regional hospitals in Ghana’s newly created regions.
According to him, three of the hospitals are expected to be constructed this year, with the remaining three scheduled for 2027.
He also announced progress in specialised healthcare, revealing that two cardiology centres are being constructed in Tamale and at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
Mr Akandoh added that a cardiac catheterisation laboratory at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital had recently been installed and commissioned by President John Dramani Mahama.
Government Targets Universal Health Coverage
The Minister further highlighted three major health interventions being pursued by the government—the Free Primary Healthcare initiative, the uncapping of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and the Ghana Medical Care Trust Fund.
He said the initiatives form part of efforts to expand access to healthcare and advance Ghana’s goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage by 2030.
Mr Akandoh also reiterated the government’s position that medical doctors must accept postings to designated areas as part of measures to address disparities in the distribution of healthcare professionals and improve access to healthcare across the country.
The engagement between the SDA Church and the Ministry of Health is expected to strengthen collaboration between government and faith-based health institutions and support efforts to expand quality healthcare services, particularly in underserved communities.
Source: Nana Achiaa Aboagye
