Janet Ogundepo
MSD has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ghana’s efforts to strengthen women’s cancer care, sustainable healthcare systems and universal health coverage.
The pharmaceutical company made this known as it co-convened a high-level policy roundtable with Africa Health Business in Accra, Ghana, to discuss healthcare system strengthening, sustainable access and the implementation of national health policies.
The meeting brought together senior policymakers, healthcare leaders, oncology experts, public and private health payers, development partners, civil society representatives and private-sector stakeholders.
The discussions focused on strengthening healthcare system capacity, sustainable financing and purchasing, and multi-sectoral partnerships to improve access to care.
Speaking on the initiative, MSD’s External Affairs Director for sub-Saharan Africa, Vuyo Mjekula, said the company’s commitment to the region went beyond providing healthcare solutions.
“At MSD, our commitment to sub-Saharan Africa goes far beyond delivering healthcare solutions; we are dedicated to partnering across sectors to build sustainable, high-performing health systems that leave no woman behind,” Mjekula said.
She said addressing national healthcare strategies required long-term collaboration, innovation and policy alignment.
Mjekula added that MSD was supporting multi-stakeholder dialogue and partnering on sustainable access mechanisms in Ghana to help translate healthcare commitments into lasting health outcomes.
The company also stated that Ghana is at a pivotal stage in its efforts to achieve universal health coverage and sustainable healthcare financing.
It noted that the country’s evolving policy environment and efforts to strengthen primary healthcare presented opportunities to expand equitable access to care and improve health outcomes.
The company cited the establishment of the Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as “Mahama Cares”, to provide financial protection for people living with non-communicable diseases, as one of the country’s recent milestones.
It also noted ongoing efforts to strengthen the National Health Insurance Scheme through the Ghana Health Financing Strategy 2023-2030.
MSD said the policy roundtable was aimed at demonstrating how public, private and civil society actors could work together to address systemic barriers to healthcare.
On strengthening health system capacity, the company said improving infrastructure and capabilities across the healthcare continuum could strengthen service delivery and improve patient access.
It also said strategic purchasing mechanisms and health insurance reforms could help reduce out-of-pocket health expenditure and protect financial coverage for high-burden conditions.
The company further stressed the importance of “all-of-society” partnerships involving governments, development organisations and industry partners in achieving sustainable health outcomes.
MSD said it remained committed to supporting policy implementation, advancing health equity and facilitating dialogue aimed at strengthening health systems and expanding sustainable access to care for women across sub-Saharan Africa.
Copyright PUNCH
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: health_wise@punchng.
