MoH unveils National Public Health Mandate & key quality guidelines 

The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with partners such as the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has launched the National Public Health Mandate and key guidelines in Accra, Ghana.

During the launch held on August 9, 2024, Rev. Professor Ferdinand Ayeh-Kumi, Chairman of the occasion, commended the Ministry of Health for their vision and acknowledged the Technical Working Group for their efforts in developing the documents.

Rev. Professor Ayeh-Kumi “praised the Ministry of Health for the vision and appreciated the Technical Working Group for their sacrifices in the development of the documents”.

Rev. Professor Ferdinand Ayeh-Kumi

The documents unveiled include the National Public Health Laboratory Network Strategic Plan 2023-2027, Ghana Laboratory Quality Management Systems Checklist, Ghana Laboratory Risk Management Training curriculum, National Biosafety, and Biosecurity Guide for Laboratories, and more. These initiatives mark a significant step in improving the country’s public health systems, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lists of documents unveiled

The National Public Health Laboratory Network Strategic Plan 2023-2027

Ghana Laboratory Quality Management Systems Checklist

Ghana Laboratory Riorisk Management- Training curriculum

National Biosafety and Biosecurity Guide for Laboratories

Guidelines for An Integrated National Specimen Referral and Transport

Development of a Tiered Level Laboratory System in Ghana

National Guidelines for One-Health Specimen Collection and Handling Reference Laboratories for Numan Communicable Diseases in Ghana

Ghana Laboratory Safety Manual

This latest launch marked a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to strengthen its public health systems, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Public Health Laboratory Network Strategic Plan 2023-2027 seeks to provide a comprehensive mandate for the coordination of public health efforts, considering human health, animal health, and environmental health.

Minister of Health, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye, stressed the importance of laboratory networking in the One Health team, particularly during public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. He affirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing the health system, and highlighted the key areas of focus for improvement.

Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye, Minister of Health, Ghana

The Minister of Health Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye in a speech read on his behalf by his Deputy Alexander Akwasi Acquah “emphasized the critical role of laboratory networking in the One Health team, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. He believes the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of a strong laboratory network in disease diagnosis and surveillance. We recognize the need for system strengthening, including the medical laboratory sector, which has been instrumental in our response to public health threats”.

Apart from that, the Health Minister also acknowledged the historical development of the medical laboratory sector, tracing its evolution from the colonial era to the present day adding that “We have come a long way, but we still have a lot to achieve. This mandate and guidelines will help us harmonize our efforts and ensure a coordinated approach to public health”, Dr. Okoe Boye said.

Dr. Okoe Boye has however reaffirmed the government’s dedication to strengthening the country’s health system. Speaking at the launch of the National Public Health Laboratory Network Strategic Plan 2023-2027 and Laboratory Quality Documents, the Minister emphasized the importance of a robust health system in achieving universal health coverage.

“The government is committed to investing in health system strengthening, and the launch of these documents is a testament to this commitment. We recognize that a strong health system is essential for delivering quality healthcare services, and we will continue to work towards achieving this goal”, Dr. Okoe Boye expressed.

Dr. Okoe Boye again highlighted the key areas of focus for health system strengthening, including improving infrastructure and equipment
Enhancing human resources for health
Strengthening public health laboratory services and promoting quality healthcare services. He acknowledged the role of development partners in supporting health system strengthening efforts stating that “We appreciate the support of our development partners and look forward to continued collaboration in building a resilient and sustainable health system”.

The launched documents seek to provide a framework for the coordination of public health efforts, including disease surveillance, outbreak response, and health promotion. They also emphasize the importance of collaboration between human health, animal health, and environmental health sectors.

Development partners, led by the CDC Representative, praised the Ministry’s efforts to strengthen public health systems and pledged continued support. The attendees, including healthcare professionals and policymakers, recognized the importance of collaboration and coordination in implementing the new initiatives.

Contributing to the discussion, Development partners led by CDC Representative, praised the Ministry’s efforts to strengthen public health systems adding that “This is a critical step towards ensuring that Ghana is better prepared to respond to public health threats. We are committed to supporting the Ministry in its efforts to strengthen its public health systems”.

The launch was attended by stakeholders from various sectors, including healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers. The event marked a significant step towards ensuring that Ghana’s public health systems are robust, responsive, and equipped to address the country’s health challenges.

Dr. Ignatius N.A Awinibuno, Director of Allied Health at Ministry of Health

Director of Allied Health at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Ignatius N.A Awinibuno who played a critical role in achieving the milestone, emphasized the need for coordination and support from development partners in implementing the newly launched National Public Health Laboratory Network Strategic Plan 2023-2027 and Laboratory Quality Documents. The former GAMLS President Dr. Awinibuno highlighted the importance of collaboration and resources from development partners to ensure the successful implementation of these documents. He believes that the effective implementation of these documents requires the collective effort of all stakeholders, including development partners. He added that the allied health sub sector needs their technical and financial support to build the capacity of our public health laboratories and ensure quality laboratory services. He of the opinions that the launch of the documents aims to strengthen the country’s public health laboratory system, improve disease surveillance, and enhance epidemic response.

“We cannot achieve these goals alone. We need the support of our development partners to provide the necessary resources, expertise, and technology to drive this process”, Dr. Awinibuno said.

Dr. Patrick Kumah Aboagye, Director-General, Ghana Health Service

Director General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Patrick Kumah Aboagye, emphasized the significance of the documents in enhancing healthcare delivery in Ghana. The objectives of the initiatives include strengthening the laboratory network, improving disease surveillance, enhancing the quality of services, ensuring compliance with international standards, and providing guidance on sample collection and referral systems.

Dr. Patrick Kumah Aboagye mentioned that “the launch of the documents marked a significant milestone in our journey towards strengthening our health system, particularly in the area of laboratory services. The National Public Health Laboratory Network Strategic Plan 2023-2027 and Laboratory Quality Documents launched today are critical tools in our efforts to improve healthcare delivery in Ghana”.

The objectives of the documents unveiled

To strengthen the public health laboratory network

To improve disease surveillance and epidemic response

To enhance the quality of laboratory services
To ensure compliance with international standards

To provide a guide to sample collection based on one health approached and sample referral systems improvement

To provide a framework for the training of medical laboratory Science professionals in biosafety and biosecurity.

The Ghana Health Service played a pivotal role in the development of these documents. Our team worked tirelessly with stakeholders to ensure that the documents reflect our national priorities and align with international best practices.

The attendees of the milestone launch, were proud of the work that has gone into developing these documents, and we are committed to supporting their implementation. We will work closely with our partners and stakeholders to ensure that these documents translate into improved healthcare outcomes for the people of Ghana.

Dr. Abu Abudu Rahamani, President of Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists

President of the Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists, Dr. Abu Abudu Rahamani, applauded the Minister’s leadership in improving healthcare delivery and pledged support for the implementation of the initiatives. He believes the association is committed to collaborating with the Ministry of Health to achieve world-class laboratory services and contribute to universal health coverage in Ghana.

Dr. Rahamani praised the Minister of Health for the launch of the National Public Health Laboratory Network Strategic Plan 2023-2027 and Laboratory Quality Documents. He commended the Minister for his leadership and commitment to strengthening the country’s health system, particularly around laboratory services.

Dr. Rahamani expressed confidence that allied health professionals are grateful for the Minister’s vision and dedication to improving healthcare delivery in Ghana. The launch of these documents is a significant milestone in our journey towards achieving world-class laboratory services. He assured that the Health Minister of the profession’s full support in implementing the documents.

“We are committed to working closely with the Ministry of Health to ensure the successful implementation of these documents. Our members are ready to provide the necessary expertise and resources to drive this process.”

Dr. Rahamani emphasized that “the importance of the documents in enhancing the quality of laboratory services, improving disease surveillance, and strengthening epidemic response. These documents will help us to better serve the people of Ghana and contribute to the achievement of universal health coverage”, Dr. Rahamani expressed.

Dr. Rahamani on behalf of the GAMLS expressed optimism and pledged that Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists will collaborate with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation of the National Public Health Laboratory Network Strategic Plan 2023-2027 and Laboratory Quality Documents.