Health Minister assures development partners of accountability

The Minister of Health, Ms Sherry Ayittey has assured developments partners of the Ministry's commitment to be accountable for their support to the health sector. She also pledged that funding to the Ministry to help improve healthcare services to Ghanaians would be put to the right use. Signing the Aide Memoire after a five-day health summit for 2014 in Accra, Ms Ayittey said the Ministry is committed to the programmes in Aide Memoire and would work to achieve them to ensure that Ghanaians receive the quality care they deserve. The health summit was on the theme: �Working together towards Quality Health Care for all in Ghana.� The summit which was the 17th to be organised brought together health experts and professionals as well developed partners to review the health sector for 2013. Listing some of the programmes agreed to improve on in the Aide Memoire, included neglected tropical diseases, maternal and child health, improving sub standards medicines, health care financing, reducing malaria, free Anti Retroviral drugs for HIV persons, mental care and implementation of decentralisation of the health sector. She commended the United Kingdom for the support to the Food and Drugs Authority to fight sub standards medicines on the Ghanaian market and improve the quality of medicines for patients. Ms Ayittey said the decentralisation programme to be implemented in the health sector would improve equity, good governance, efficiency, access to service and local participation. Ms Sally Taylor, Head of Department For International Development of the UK, who spoke on behalf of the development partners, commended Ghana for the progress made in the health sector. She entreated the government to lead in the funding of health programmes since donor funding would be dwindling in the coming years. �As we approach 2015 to meet the MDGs, we all want to see the day when childbirth does not result in the death of the mother from lack of blood, basic drugs or professional care; when mentally ill people are treated effectively and with dignity; and that every child gets to celebrate their fifth birthday.� She said development partners are committed to help Ghana find the right approaches and share their experiences as well as financial resources for better results.