Ghana, Japan ministries of health sign memorandum of cooperation

The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with the Ministry of Health (MoH) with the objective of enhancing Japan’s support for Ghana's health sector.

The five-year cooperation agreement is a component of Japan’s contribution to helping with the implementation of national interventions aimed at achieving universal health coverage and quality health care.

It falls under the Japanese ministry’s flagship programme; Africa Health and Wellbeing Initiative.

Modalities

At the signing ceremony in Accra yesterday, the Minister of Health, Mr Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, who signed on behalf of Ghana, said the modalities and responsibilities required of both countries under the cooperation would be decided at a meeting later.

Under the MoC, both countries would seek to cooperate with local governments and health sector agencies in each other’s country and work out modalities for further collaboration as may be mutually decided on.

The main areas of cooperation include health promotion, disease prevention and early medical intervention.

The cooperation agreement will also focus on improving hygiene and sanitation.

Other areas of intercession will include supporting prevention, control and treatment of both communicable and non-communicable diseases as well as improving reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child and adolescent health services as a means to reducing mortality, morbidity and environmental sanitation.

Support

Mr Agyemang-Manu said under the agreement, Japan would send experts and resources to aid Ghana’s health sector to innovate and improve health service delivery and outcomes.

He said the initiative was worthy of the highest recognition, especially because it focused on ensuring the wellbeing of Ghanaians and towards achieving universal health coverage for the country ultimately.

"It is an example of the kind of partnership we seek with our development partners and bilateral and private sector collaborators towards ensuring a healthy and productive population for national development,” he said.

Private sector participation

The Ambassador of Japan to Ghana, Mr Tsutomu Himeno, who also signed for his country, said the initiative was important for building a foundation of quality and productive manpower, and gave opportunity as well to the private sector to contribute to health care in Ghana.

He called for more investments to be made into health care, particularly into prevention since that would lessen the burden on the healthcare system and save the country a lot of money.

Writer's email: [email protected]