A new healthcare association with a mission to be at the forefront of providing affordable, accessible and quality medical care to Ghanaians has been outdoored.
The Healthcare Federation of Ghana (HFG), with membership drawn from private institutions operating within the healthcare industry, was formed out of the need for a stronger alliance of private healthcare institutions in the country.
Dr Amit Thakker, chairman of HFG, the mother body of HFG, highlighted the need for private health institutions to come together to provide accessible healthcare to millions of people.
He said the health sector in Africa is saddled with many health issues and when these are addressed through enhanced private healthcare sector, it can propel the continent’s health status from a poor to a more favourable state.
Dr Gilbert Buckle, the federation’s chairman, in his remarks added that the federation seeks to support the adherence to standards, acts as a negotiating body with government and provide a forum for consultation within the health sector.
“There are many issues that we believe coming together enables us to address. One includes access to care, one includes reducing the cost of care to the population, improving the quality of healthcare that is provided… healthcare is all about private sector organisations who want to support the delivery of high quality healthcare,” he mentioned.
The group essentially believes it has “a responsibility to make sure healthcare is affordable and accessible,” Dr Buckle stated.
He was hopeful the federation would be able to project private sector participation in healthcare delivery.
“We also hope to be able to see a movement towards opening up the space for private sector involvement in providing healthcare services in Ghana,” the HFG chairman added.
The association also introduced a nine-member board of directors to the public after their election at an annual general meeting prior to the launch event.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri