President John Dramani Mahama has toured the Mercy Ships hospital vessel currently docked at the Tema Port, commending the organisation for its contribution to specialised medical care and healthcare delivery in Ghana.
During the visit, President Mahama interacted with Ghanaian patients receiving treatment on board and expressed appreciation to the Mercy Ships crew and Ghanaian volunteers for their service during the vessel’s 10-month stay in the country.
The President highlighted the organisation’s long-standing contribution to Ghana’s healthcare sector, noting that Mercy Ships has visited Ghana four times since 1991.
According to President Mahama, the previous missions resulted in more than 2,600 surgical procedures and 16,700 dental treatments, while also contributing to the professional development of 139 Ghanaian health workers.
He said the medical missions have provided critical access to specialised healthcare services for Ghanaians who had waited for years to receive treatment.
Among the conditions treated through Mercy Ships’ medical interventions are cataracts, cleft lips and palates, tumours, childhood orthopaedic conditions and other treatable medical conditions.
President Mahama described the organisation’s voluntary medical services as an important contribution to improving access to quality healthcare and providing life-changing treatment to patients.
He called on the Ministry of Health and relevant government agencies to provide the necessary support to strengthen Mercy Ships’ operations and expand the impact of its medical services in Ghana.
The President also reiterated the government’s commitment to improving access to affordable and quality healthcare across the country.
He said the government is expanding free primary healthcare, strengthening the National Health Insurance Programme (NHIS) and investing in hospitals, medical equipment and healthcare professionals.
President Mahama further said the Ghana Medical Trust Fund is being used as part of efforts to reduce the financial burden associated with serious non-communicable diseases on individuals and families.
The government’s healthcare agenda, he added, is focused on expanding access to essential medical services while improving the quality of healthcare delivery for Ghanaians.
The Mercy Ships mission in Ghana is expected to provide specialised treatment to patients who require medical interventions that may otherwise be difficult to access due to cost or limited specialist healthcare services.
Source: newsthemegh.com