Dr. Patrick Kuma Aboagye, Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, has urged all District Health Directors to fully embrace and take ownership of the Network of Practice (NoP) concept.
Addressing attendees at the 2024 Annual General Conference of District Health Directors in Ada, Dr Aboagye emphasized the importance of proactive community engagement, collaboration with other health professionals, and the pursuit of innovative solutions to healthcare challenges.
The conference provides a platform for District Health Directors to network, collaborate, and strategize on advancing universal health coverage by strengthening primary healthcare services at the district level.
Dr. Aboagye stressed that overcoming challenges requires a collective effort, highlighting the need to enhance human resource efficiency at both district and sub-district levels.
In his address, Dr Aboagye outlined critical initiatives by the Ghana Health Service to meet Universal Health Coverage targets, including the proposed National Boat Service to offer routine care in remote districts and investments in technology and supply chain improvements.
“You are the commandos at the front line,” Dr. Aboagye said. “I encourage you to engage proactively with communities and collaborate with other professionals.
Accelerate your contributions towards achieving Universal Health Coverage by 2030. We are committed to providing the necessary infrastructure and human resources to support your work.”
Dr. Justice Seduvu, Chairman of the District Directors of Health Services (DDHS), speaking on behalf of the directors, called for improved conditions of service, better infrastructure, and enhanced human resources at the district level.
“We are focused on building capacity and developing our members to effectively implement new policies, guidelines, and directives from the Director-General.
Our goal is to use the Network of Practice to enhance healthcare services in our districts,” Dr. Seduvu stated.
The five-day conference, themed “Acceleration towards UHC with a Strengthened Primary Healthcare through a Network of Practice Approach: The Role of DDHS,” aims to bolster efforts towards universal health coverage through improved primary healthcare systems.
