SEND GHANA Insists On The Establishment Of PHEF By  Government

SEND GHANA bounces back on their call for the establishment of the Public Health Emergency Fund (PHEF).

According to SEND GHANA, government has failed in the establishment of the Public Health Emergency Fund (PHEF) even though the National Medium-Term Development Policy Framework 2022-2025 captures it.

The National Medium-Term Development Policy Framework 2022-2025 under Emergency Planning and Response (including COVID-19 Recovery Plan) states, “the medium term goal is to build resilience to withstand threats of different dimensions including COVID-19. Key policy objectives include promoting proactive planning an implementation for disaster prevention and mitigation; enhancing capacity for surveillance and management of epidemics and pandemics; strengthening national preparedness…”

SEND GHANA, as part of their means to continue to draw government’s attention among other things has the “Epidemic Preparedness Financing and Response” project.

The project is to spearhead the establishment of the Public Health Emergency Fund (PHEF), while drawing public and political support for Epidemic Preparedness as well as push focus on the need for the conversion of the COVID-19 levy to a source of funding for PHEF.

“In 2020 the COVID Levy generated GHS 1.50 billion, this year we are projecting GHS 2.5 billion but now people are calling for the discontinuity of the COVID levy but there is the need to convert the COVID levy to that of a Public Health Levy. This will act as a source of funding for public health emergencies,” Dr Emmanuel Ayifah said in an interview.

The Deputy Country Director for SEND Ghana added that the establishment of the fund, “will help in the creation of district laboratories.”

Considering these bases the Civil Society Organization, SEND GHANA seeks to get the country to increase healthcare budget for utmost preparation when it comes to epidemic management in the existence of COVID 19.

Scientists have warned of pressure on a country’s healthcare system if there is low preparedness.

Meanwhile Ghana’s preparedness rating last year stood at 45, which is low and needs increment.

The Civil Society Organization, SEND GHANA calls on the government to increase healthcare budget to increase preparation for epidemic management in the wake of COVID 19 among others.

Source: opemsuo.com/Monica M. Appiah-Manu