Minister of Health, Mr Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to leveraging Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and concessional financing arrangements to attract private sector investment in diagnostics, telemedicine, and emergency medical logistics. He further indicated that fiscal incentives are being considered to encourage private facilities to invest in underserved areas and rural communities.
Speaking through Dr Ernest Konadu at the Fifth Annual General Conference of the Private Health Facilities Association of Ghana (PHAFoG), Mr. Akandoh noted that under such arrangements, accredited private facilities would be eligible to provide care, reflecting the government’s conviction that access to essential health services should be determined by quality and capacity rather than ownership. He emphasised that the “Big Push” agenda, including the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (“Mahama Cares”) and the Ghana Medical Transplant initiative, positions health as a catalyst for national transformation by expanding infrastructure, promoting digital health innovation, and investing in specialist training.
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The Health Minister described the private health sector as a central partner in achieving Universal Health Coverage and national health objectives. “We speak of a dynamic ecosystem, one in which private facilities and integrity are put next to service delivery, innovation, and employment creation. The Ministry of Health considers the private sector not as a competitor, but as a vital ally in our collective pursuit of equitable, efficient, and sustainable healthcare for all,” he said.
Dr Winfred Korletey Baah, Registrar of the Health Facilities Regulatory Authority (HeFRA), announced a nationwide compliance initiative to ensure healthcare facilities operate legally and adhere to regulatory standards. He emphasised that compliance not only safeguards patient safety but also strengthens investment potential, particularly from international partners seeking assurance of regulatory compliance. “Let us envision a future where compliance is not seen as a burden, but as a badge of professionalism. HeFRA is laying the foundation for a safer, more accountable, and resilient healthcare system,” he said.
PHAFoG President, Dr Kwame Buabeng-Frimpong, highlighted the critical role of private health facilities in enhancing quality and operational efficiency. He urged the government to factor private facilities into staffing policies and noted that despite challenges such as rising operational costs, limited financing, and regulatory hurdles, private facilities continue to provide essential services to millions of Ghanaians. Dr Buabeng-Frimpong emphasised that leveraging the government’s Private Sector Development Policy could unlock opportunities to expand the reach and quality of private healthcare.
He also cited PHAFoG’s achievements in health data reporting, noting that by the end of 2024, about 17.1 percent of facilities registered on the District Health Information System (DHIMS-2) platform were PHAFoG facilities, underscoring their significance in national healthcare delivery. Madam Agnes Mawusi Nkansah, Volta/Oti Regional Chairperson of PHAFoG, called for mainstreaming innovation, including digitisation and artificial intelligence, to improve patient care, streamline services, and position the private health sector as a key engine for growth and development.
