Yesterday was the first state of the nation address (SONA) by the president of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Adddo. As the nation’s growth and development have direct relationship with the health of the people, the president did not relegate the importance of the health of the people and the health sector. Below are the various pronouncements by the president made about the health sector.
Expansion of the domestic production of pharmaceuticals
The president as part of listing various measure to reduce unemployment in Ghana cited the pharmaceutical industry as one of the key sectors that needs expansion and improvement.
The president said, development of strategic anchor initiatives as new pillars of growth for the Ghanaian economy, including the expansion of the domestic production of pharmaceuticals is necessary at this time to reduce unemployment.
This was a key elements the president listed as part of initiative to embark on in a comprehensive programmes for industrial transformation.
Restore the National Health Insurance Scheme to good health.
The president believes the National Health Insurance Scheme remains a best option devised to ensure many people have access to health care in Ghana.
He acknowledged the dwindling nature of the NHIS forcing health providers to abrogate services and others threating to opt out. “The scheme is not in a good state, and there are too many providers that are owed money. They are threatening to opt out and stop offering their services to the most vulnerable in our society”.
The president confidently stated that his government is in position to restore the NHIS to good health.
Restore the allowances to trainee nurses
The president in a straight forward and confident statement reiterated his government’s commitment to restore fully the nurses training allowance. He stated that the first budget of his government that is stated to be delivered by the finance minister in less than ten days will ensure the promise he made during the campaign season will be fulfill.
“And yes, the Minister for Finance will restore the allowances to trainee nurses in the budget”, the president stated.
Earlier the Vice president, Dr. Mamudu Bawumia has stated, the allowance will be restored in March this year.
The president addressing the house stated that, “we have to be healthy if we are to make a success of the plans and aspirations” his government has aligned in the SONA.
