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The Government�s plan for the health sector was clear from both its 2012 election campaign manifesto and the 2013 national budget: it intended to execute some of its election manifesto commitments to the health sector. With 2013 almost over, and the national budget to be presented to Parliament today, the Universal Access to Healthcare Campaign (UAHCC) wishes to ask the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and the Ministry of Health the following questions: 1. The PROMISE: The Government will establish new district hospitals and more polyclinics in each of the ten regions. BUDGETARY ALLOCATION: Funding of $175 million has been secured by the Government to construct six new district hospitals in Sekondi, Abetifi, Kumawu , Dodowa , Fomena and GaruTempani. QUESTION: Has this amount been released? 2. The PROMISE: The Government will expand the existing Midwifery and Nurses Training Colleges and establish new colleges in under-served areas. BUDGETARY ALLOCATION: The budgetary allocation for various health sector construction projects are: � Tema Maternity Hospital - GH�2.0 million; � Fomena Nurses Training College - GH�1.9 million; � The office complex of the Nurses and Midwives Council - GH�1.4 million; � Completion of Nurses� training schools at Goaso, Cape Coast, Agogo, Pantang, Hohoe and Wa - GH�5.0 million; � Rehabilitation of Axim Hospital - GH�1.0 million; and � Akuapem North District Administration Nurses Flats - GH�1.1 million. QUESTION: Has the disbursement been made? If yes, when will the projects be completed? 3. The PROMISE: The Government said it has taken appropriate measures to provide anti-retroviral drugs to persons living with HIV/AIDS, even if donor funds dwindle further. To give meaning to this, the Government stated in the 2013 national budget that it is supporting the new National Strategic Plan with GH�150 million over a four year period. BUDGETARY ALLOCATION: In 2013, the National AIDS/STI programme was allocated GH�5.0 million, a further GH�5.0 million for supply of locally manufactured Anti-Retroviral drugs, and GH�0.5 million to the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS. QUESTION: Has this money has been released to the Ghana AIDS Commission? 4. The PROMISE: The Government promised to extend the on-going free Insecticide Treated Nets (ITN) distribution programme to attain the 2005 Abuja target of 60% of children sleeping under insecticide treated nets. BUDGETARY ALLOCATION: An allocation of GH�15.0 million was made to support the Malaria Vector Control Programme (Labiofam). QUESTION: What action has been taken concerning this? The Campaign notes with concern the economic challenges the Government is confronted with and appreciates the Government�s determination and effort in trying the address these challenges. It is in light of this that we seek answers to the above questions. Note: The Universal Access to Health Care Campaign is a National Campaign driven by a network of local and international NGOs including the Alliance for Reproductive Health Rights (ARHR), ISODEC, Essential Service Platform, SEND Ghana, and Coalition of NGOs in Health. Media Contact HorSidua National Coordinator: Universal Access to Healthcare Campaign (020 7708938)