National Health News

Ministry of Health launched National Health Sector Gender Policy

The Ministry of Health has launched the National Health Sector Gender Policy, paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system. This innovative policy, developed in partnership with UNICEF Ghana and Global Affairs Canada, aims to bridge the gap in healthcare access and quality for all Ghanaians, regardless of gender.
The journey to this milestone began with a pressing need to address the disparities in healthcare access and quality. Women faced significant barriers in accessing quality healthcare, from cultural and socio-economic obstacles to lack of representation in healthcare decision-making.
The National Health Sector Gender Policy provides a comprehensive framework for promoting equity and integrating gender into all health sector operations. With four key objectives – improving gender responsiveness, strengthening leadership and coordination, addressing socio-economic and cultural barriers, and ensuring sustainable financing – this policy sets the stage for transformative change.
Alhaji Hafez Adam, Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, emphasized the importance of collective action in implementing the policy.
“It is only through our collective efforts that we can break down the barriers of inequality and ensure that every individual in Ghana, regardless of gender, has access to quality healthcare,” he remarked.
He said the pilot institutions have made significant strides in developing and implementing action plans. From establishing gender diversity taskforces to integrating gender-related issues into institutional goals, these pioneers paved the way for a more inclusive healthcare system.
In his keynote address, Dr. Evans Aggrey Darkoah, Head of Civil Service, highlighted the progress made by pilot institutions, including staff training on gender terminologies and mainstreaming and the appointment of Gender Champions and Focal Persons to drive change.
“The success of the National Health Sector Gender Policy depends on collective action from government agencies, development partners, private sector actors, and civil society organizations,” he said.
He reiterated that Ghana can create a healthcare system that truly leaves no one behind, where every individual can have access to quality healthcare, regardless of gender.

 

Back to top button