2008 GHS POW – STRATEGIC DIRECTION

2008 GHS POW – STRATEGIC DIRECTION By Dr. Elias K. Sory Director General, GHSGIMPA 20-11-07

INTRODUCTION Objects of the Ghana Health Service • implementing approved national policies; • increasing access to good quality services, and • managing prudently resources available for the provision of the health services.

Priorities • GHS priorities for 2008 are mainly guided by: • the four strategic objectives of the third 5YPOW 2007-2011 - taking cognisance of the existing capacities, challenges and resource envelope • the recommendations from the series of directors meetings from all levels (DDHS’ and Medical Supts) and our first senior managers meeting

Focus…. • ... on results to be achieved through a combination of interventions to be delivered at individual, household, community, outreaches, and health facilities. • .... is to continue to scale up the coverage of promotive, preventive and treatment interventions proven to have an impact on mortality, morbidity and disability.

Guidance…. • These priorities are for guidance and may not all be relevant everywhere or equally important in all regions or districts. • Managers need to ensure that the priorities they set themselves will take into consideration local key context and are feasible within the budget constraints

Theme for 2008 • ‘Strengthening Systems for effective and efficient delivery of services to households and communities’

Key achievements driving priorities.. • Malaria control continues with ITN use by U5 and pregnant women going up to 32.3% and 46.3% respectively in 2006 • Increased uptake in CT&PMTCT and ART services • TB cure rate increased from 64.4% in 2004 to 68% in 2005 while the treatment success rate also increased from 71.9% 73.1% during same period. • Incidence of measles continues to decline • No case of Polio AFP during last 3 years • Increased number of children U5 receiving vitamin A

…and challenges… • Stagnating OPD attendance per capita • Increase HIV prevalence after declining for 2 consecutive years • G/worm cases increasing • High prevalence of non-communicable diseases due to unhealthy lifestyle choices • Malnutrition among U5 (wt / age) increasing

…and challenges (ctd)… • Skilled delivery rate remains low • High Maternal Mortality Ratio • Inadequate coverage of priority health interventions (TB, Malaria, HIV/AIDS, IMCI, ACSD etc) • Slow pace of rolling out of CHPS as a vehicle for increase service coverage • Inadequate managerial capacity of some managers to lead, mentor and guide • Poor attitudinal issues • Weak monitoring and supervision; and • poor accountability for performance

Working within the context of the Health Policy…. • GHS will strengthen systems for effective and efficient delivery of services to households and communities with a focus to improve maternal and child health outcomesService delivery issues • In line with the Health Policy and the 2008 POW, the GHS is putting in place structures and systems to ensure that service is available to majority of households and our community members • Strengthening PHC as a critical strategy to deliver the service intervention • Strengthening sub-districts health teams and structures to provide back stopping to community level service provision • Strengthening DHMT’s and structures to provide support and supervision for sub-district and community service delivery • Improving quality of care and staff attitude

… context of the Health Policy…. • The GHS as a corporate body has carved out its vision and mission to provide the service with a more focused direction that clearly spells out its contribution to the overall sector vision of “Creating wealth through health” • The GHS shall endeavor to build upon the strong foundations that have been laid by taking advantage of its strengths and opportunities • Emphasis will be placed on commitment and team work keeping in mind the values that were meant to form the basis of our health education and training

Specifically, in 2008, the GHS proposes to…. • Accelerate the roll out of CHPS • Scale up the implementation of HIRD interventions • Ensure continuous surveillance and timely reporting of epidemic prone diseases and establish epidemic preparedness and response mechanisms and ensure effective management and control of epidemics • Strengthen quality assurance programmes including strengthening referral systems, instituting and providing 24 hour essential services • Strengthen the accounting systems at all levels and improve monitoring and supervision to ensure compliance to available financial rules and regulations.

Specifically, in 2008, the GHS proposes to…. • Institutionalise the peer review mechanism and district league performance table and introduce schemes to motivate lower level managers to perform. • Introduce systems to improve management and access to health information at the district level. • Ensure compliance to planned preventive maintenance plans at all levels • Refine and clarify strategies and programmes for promoting gender equity

Integrate regenerative activities into district programmes, including introduction of screening programmes • Strengthen and support human resources for health

Thank you

2008 GHS POW – STRATEGIC DIRECTION