The Ghana Adventist Health Services of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church has pledged to partner the government to complete selected Agenda 111 hospital projects across the country as part of efforts to expand access to quality healthcare.
The commitment was made when a delegation from the SDA Health Services, led by Dr James Antwi, paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh.
During the meeting, the delegation presented a proposal outlining four key areas in which the church intends to deepen its contribution to Ghana’s healthcare system.
These include trauma care, holistic wellness, oncology and cancer treatment, as well as rehabilitation and other health services.
The initiative is aimed at positioning the SDA Church as a strategic partner in strengthening healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved and deprived communities.
Mr Akandoh welcomed the proposal and stressed the importance of partnerships in addressing the growing healthcare needs of the country.
According to him, government alone cannot meet the increasing demands of the health sector, making collaboration with faith-based organisations such as the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG) and private sector institutions essential to completing and operationalising the Agenda 111 facilities.
The Minister commended the SDA Church for its longstanding contribution to healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved communities, and expressed appreciation for its willingness to support government’s efforts.
He assured potential partners that the government would provide the necessary guidance to organisations interested in completing specific Agenda 111 projects.
Mr Akandoh clarified that such partnerships would not involve partners making financial contributions directly to government.
Instead, interested organisations would provide direct support towards the completion and operationalisation of selected projects.
He further encouraged CHAG and private sector players to identify specific facilities and areas of interest so that the Ministry could provide the necessary direction and facilitate their successful delivery.
On the distribution of healthcare professionals, the Minister reiterated government’s position that doctors must accept postings to designated areas to ensure a more equitable distribution of medical services across the country.
He also disclosed plans to construct six regional hospitals in Ghana’s newly created regions.
According to him, funding has been provided for the construction of three of the hospitals this year, while work on the remaining three is expected to commence in 2027.
Mr Akandoh further revealed that government is constructing two specialised cardiology centres—one in Tamale and another at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital—to improve access to specialised cardiac care.
He added that the cardiac catheterisation laboratory at the Korle- Bu Teaching Hospital had recently been installed and opened by President John Dramani Mahama.
The Minister also highlighted three major interventions being implemented by government as part of efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage by 2030.
These include the Free Primary Healthcare initiative, the uncapping of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and the establishment of the Ghana Medical Care Trust Fund.
The engagement between the Ministry of Health and the SDA Health Services is expected to strengthen collaboration between government and faith-based health institutions and contribute to the delivery of accessible and quality healthcare services across Ghana.
