Dr. David Kofi Mawuvi Wuaku, delivering the keynote address at the Ghana Medical Association’s Regional Dinner and Awards Night in Ho, championed the crucial role of private sector involvement in bolstering healthcare delivery across the Volta and Oti Regions. He argued that the government, on its own, cannot adequately address the escalating healthcare demands of the populace. Dr. Wuaku, a seasoned financial analyst and former Bank of Ghana administrator, highlighted the private sector’s potential not just as a funding source, but as a vital partner in driving efficiency, innovation, and long-term sustainability within the healthcare system. He envisioned private capital contributing to hospital modernization, acquisition of advanced diagnostic equipment, and implementation of digital health technologies, such as telemedicine and electronic health records, thereby enhancing the quality and accessibility of healthcare services.
Emphasizing the importance of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), Dr. Wuaku advocated for joint ventures in critical areas such as diagnostics, emergency response, and maternal health. He viewed PPPs as a powerful mechanism for combining the extensive reach of the public sector with the agility and innovation of the private sector. Furthermore, he stressed the need for private-led training programs to develop the capacity of local health professionals and ensure they remain competitive on a global scale. To support his arguments, he showcased successful regional examples of blended financing models in healthcare, highlighting the contributions of faith-based institutions like Margret Marquart Hospital and Catholic hospitals, alongside diagnostic centers and local pharmacies. These examples served to illustrate the tangible benefits and feasibility of private sector engagement in healthcare delivery.
Dr. Wuaku proposed a comprehensive three-pronged strategy to unlock the full potential of the private sector: policy reform, strategic partnerships, and robust regulatory oversight. He urged the government to implement incentives, such as tax breaks and streamlined licensing procedures, to attract private investment in underserved districts like Nkwanta South and Krachi Nchumuru. He also encouraged collaborative efforts among key stakeholders, including the Ghana Health Service and the National Health Insurance Scheme, to ensure a coordinated and complementary approach to service delivery. This integrated strategy, he believed, would create a conducive environment for private sector participation and ultimately improve healthcare outcomes.
While strongly advocating for private investment, Dr. Wuaku underscored the irreplaceable role of healthcare professionals. He lauded doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and administrators as the vital link between capital investment and quality patient care, transforming facilities into “sanctuaries of hope.” He commended award recipients for their dedication and urged all health workers to embrace innovation and collaborate with the private sector. He painted a vision of a future where timely diagnostics prevent maternal deaths and specialized services attract both local residents and medical tourists, emphasizing that this vision is achievable through deliberate and public-interest-guided private sector engagement.
Earlier in the evening, Dr. Adu Appiah-Kubi, Chairman of the Awards Committee, set the tone for the event by explaining that the ceremony transcended individual achievements. It served as a celebration of the unity, resilience, and hope that define the work of healthcare professionals in the Volta and Oti Regions. Each award, he stated, symbolized not only lives transformed and communities uplifted but also a collective commitment to progress. He underscored the importance of collaboration among government, private sector, NGOs, and individuals to effectively address the challenges facing healthcare delivery, encouraging the sharing of ideas, pooling of resources, and fostering of innovation to ensure equitable access to care.
Dr. Appiah-Kubi, an Obstetrician-Gynaecologist consultant, praised the awardees as “beacons of inspiration,” highlighting the evening as an occasion not just for recognition but for profound gratitude and a renewed commitment to excellence and inclusivity in healthcare. His remarks emphasized the shared responsibility of all stakeholders in advancing healthcare and acknowledged the critical role of dedication, innovation, and collaborative efforts in achieving this shared goal. The combined messages of Dr. Wuaku and Dr. Appiah-Kubi emphasized a collective vision for a future where private sector engagement, coupled with the dedication of healthcare professionals, transforms the healthcare landscape of the Volta and Oti Regions.
