Ghana marks World Health Day
Ghana yesterday observed 2018 Word Health Day, with a call to make health issues a priority in the country.
The occasion was marked on the theme: “Universal Health Coverage: Everyone, Everywhere”, with the slogan “Health for All.”
The Ministry of Health (MOH), Ghana Health Service (GHS) and other stakeholders commemorated the day with a national launch.
Addressing the media to mark the occasion, Minister of Health, Mr. Kwaku Agyemang Manu, disclosed that government had embarked on several initiatives to enhance progress to improve on universal health coverage and the reduction of non-communicable related diseases in the country.
Some of these initiatives, Mr Manu said, included the development of a Non-Communicable Disease Policy, development of Non-Communicable Disease Strategic Plan, intensification of screening of diabetes amongst the population as well as the intensification of public health education on diabetes and other non-communicable diseases.
He indicated the government’s commitment to devise measures to continue to sensitise the public on Ghana’s efforts towards the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.
He pointed out that this year’s World Health Day was aimed at shining a spotlight on the need for UHC and the advantages it can bring.
According to the sector minister, every year, Ghana joins the rest of the world in commemorating World Health Day; a very important day for the World Health Organisation (WHO) as it is the anniversary of the founding of the Organisation.
He noted that the day also provides a unique opportunity to mobilise action around a specific health topic of concern to people all over the world.
He said the WHO was founded on the principle that all people should be able to realise their right to the highest possible level of health.
Mr Manu pointed out that, “health for all has therefore been the guiding vision for more than seven decades. It’s also the motivation behind the current organisation-wide drive to support countries in moving towards UHC.”