Ghana, having experienced the devastating effects of epidemics like cholera and meningitis, recognizes the urgent need for a dedicated Public Health Emergency Fund (PHEF). While this financial backing is crucial, it’s equally vital to strengthen collaboration among the various health arms involved in epidemic preparedness and response. These arms include the Ghana Health Service (GHS), public health workers, laboratory scientists, pharmacists, medical professionals, frontline responders, and other key players. Dr. Solomon D.Y. Kwashie, a medical laboratory scientist, offers valuable insights into Ghana’s current state of epidemic preparedness, highlighting both the significant progress made and the persistent challenges that require attention.
Ghana’s epidemic preparedness system, primarily coordinated by the GHS, has shown considerable improvement. The GHS focuses on equipping the public health division with the necessary human resources and infrastructure, including the crucial Public Health Laboratory Network. This network, with the National Public Health and Reference Laboratory (NPHRL) at its core, plays a central role in epidemic response. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of the NPHRL, which had previously been neglected. The pandemic brought much-needed attention and resources to the NPHRL and its zonal public health laboratories, significantly strengthening the country’s capacity to handle health crises. However, Dr. Kwashie points out the need for continued investment, particularly in expanding public health laboratory facilities in the South-Eastern region of the country.
Collaboration within the health ecosystem is paramount. Ghana demonstrates a commendable approach by involving human, animal, and environmental health professionals in addressing public health emergencies. An inter-agency committee at the policy level ensures timely disease reporting and investigation, facilitating a coordinated response. This collaborative spirit was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, where a One Health approach mobilized all laboratory systems. The Ghana Field Epidemiology Laboratory Program further strengthens this approach by training professionals based on the One Health team model, deploying them across the country to bolster outbreak investigation and surveillance efforts.
The GHS’s national management plan, also founded on the One Health approach, exemplifies Ghana’s commitment to proactive epidemic management. Integral to this plan is the National Infection Prevention and Control Strategy, which targets the prevention, reduction, and control of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). This strategic focus on patient safety complements the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response system, which outlines comprehensive procedures for handling outbreaks and other public health issues. This system includes establishing management entities, conducting regular meetings, and formulating district-specific epidemic response plans, ensuring preparedness at all levels.
Despite these positive strides, challenges remain, primarily stemming from funding constraints. Dr. Kwashie identifies inadequate funding as a major obstacle hindering the effectiveness of the Public Health Laboratory Network and other health agencies in responding to epidemics. While he rates Ghana’s epidemic preparedness at 7 out of 10 and its response at 6, he emphasizes the need for increased financial investment. In addition to funding, inadequate health infrastructure in remote areas poses a significant hurdle, impeding timely reporting of disease outbreaks. Improving access to healthcare in these underserved areas is crucial for effective epidemic control.
Another critical challenge lies in the suboptimal interface between clinical and public health laboratories. Delays in communication of infectious disease information from clinical laboratories to public health laboratories impede timely outbreak response. Furthermore, the use of varying testing protocols and reporting formats across different laboratories complicates data comparison and consolidation. Standardization and streamlined communication are essential for efficient information sharing and effective response. Equally important is enhancing coordination between public and private health facilities in disease reporting. A unified approach involving both sectors is essential for a comprehensive understanding of disease prevalence and effective containment strategies.
A dedicated fund for epidemic preparedness is paramount. Dr. Kwashie strongly advocates for the conversion of the COVID-19 levy into a Public Health Emergency Levy, providing a consistent funding stream for emergency preparedness. This fund should be managed through an inter-agency approach, incorporating stakeholders from the One Health team. Such a fund would be instrumental in building capacity at the local level, enabling communities to identify and report suspected health conditions promptly. Furthermore, it would empower the public health system to leverage the strengths of private organizations, including the media and civil society organizations, in risk communication and public health education programs.
Beyond financial resources, strengthening Ghana’s health system requires significant infrastructure development across the country, particularly in underserved regions. Empowering communities to participate in health decision-making fosters ownership and enhances the effectiveness of interventions. Strengthening public-private partnerships for health is also crucial, harnessing the resources and expertise of both sectors. These combined measures, supported by adequate funding and capacity building, will ensure that Ghana’s health arms can effectively collaborate in epidemic preparedness and response, safeguarding public health and building a resilient health system for the future. Dr. Kwashie’s recommendations, based on his expertise and experience, offer a valuable roadmap for strengthening Ghana’s epidemic preparedness and response capabilities.
