Mr Kwaku Agyeman Manu, Ghana’s Health Minister
A youth advocay group with name, Patriotic Youth Advocates (PYA) has parried off suggestions from some sections of the public and civil society groups that the Health Minister should resign from his position because he made frank presentations before the Parliamentary probe into the botched procurement of Sputnik v vaccines.
In a strongly worded release signed by Nana Kwasi and Asante Kwadwo, spokespersons of PYA, it said the intentions and work rate of the Health Minister bears testimony that he wished the best for Ghana in engaging in that international transaction.
The group noted that the Health Minister considered the health and safety of Ghanaians as priority over procedural measures.
It said, in all his dealings with the Sheikh Maktoum group that produces Sputnik V vaccine, the health Minister was guided by the ethics of his office that is to secure the lives of Ghanaian citizens hence his bargaining for the least of the price for the drugs to the 19 dollars they arrived at.
EXPLOITS:
The group recounted several measures and far reaching initiatives the health Minister since assumption Office in 2017 has been engaged in.
It said in 2017, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) owed hospitals and service providers 13 months of arrears on the scheme.
Currently,the group noted the NHIA only owes 4 months of arrears to service providers.
Mr Kwaku Agyeman Manu, the group reminded the public worked to restore the nurses training allowance which had been cancelled by the previous NDC government.
ABSENCE OF STRIKE ACTIONS:
The group noted the excellent negotiation skills of Mr Agyeman Manu for halting doctors and nurses agitation and strike actions.
The group commended the Minister for the smooth running of the NHIS system and the revolution in same by deploying technology for instant renewals and payments.
By this, the group said the Minister has ensured that the fraud in the system was curbed.
MORE DETAILS:
The group noted that the Health Minister has worked to clear the backlog of doctors, nurses and midwives that were due for employment in the health system since 2012.
Mr Kwaku Agyeman Manu, the group recalled has initiated many infrastructure projects including the siting of over 200 Chp compounds.
He has, the group intimated has completed and commissioned several poly clinics and government bungalows for doctors and nurses across the country .
Some of the government hospitals completed and commissioned include the Tepa government hospital in the Ashanti region, Wa government hospital and the Twifo Praso government hospital as well as the completion and commissioning of the Tamale Teaching Hospital.
INTERNATIONAL LINKS:
The Health Minister, the group hinted is the first person to have negotiated and signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Roche pharmaceutical company to subsidise drugs including herceptin for the treatment of breast cancer and other cancers.
