Ghana signs MoU for quality healthcare

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Ghana?s Ministry of Health (MOH) and General Electric (GE), have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to support the development of quality healthcare in Ghana through the execution of three proposed healthcare infrastructure development projects.

A statement issued in Accra on Monday and copied to the Ghana News Agency by Mr Leroy Ankrah on behalf of GE, said the three projects include the introduction of GE?s hand held ultrasound product, (VScan), into the Ghana Community-based Health Planning and Services compounds as part of the MOH?s commitment to reduce maternal and neonatal/Infant deaths under the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 5.

The devices would support the continuous care, providing better access to healthcare in rural locations throughout Ghana and enhance the skill set of healthcare delivery through training on appropriate medical devices that help monitor mothers and babies during pregnancy.

Initially launched in South Africa in 2010 to provide physicians in remote areas with imaging capabilities at the point of care, the Vscan houses ultra-smart ultrasound technology that provide doctors with an immediate, non-invasive method to help secure visual information about what is happening inside the body.

At almost the size of a Smartphone, the portable Vscan can easily be taken from room to room to be used in many clinical, hospital or primary care settings.

In the area of maternal and newborn health in ongoing projects in Ghana, Ethiopia and Tanzania, a combination of the Vscan with education and training are demonstrating a meaningful impact on the MDG 4 and 5 in the rural setting.

The second collaborative project would be to develop Diagnostic Centres of Excellence through Private Public Partnerships.

The first of the centres would be sited at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra to be followed by Komfo Anokye in Kumasi and Tamale, Cape Coast and Ho teaching hospitals.

The third project would focus on training and capacity building.

GE Healthcare would partner local experts where possible in the implementation of a comprehensive capacity building and performance solutions training programme, to include ultrasound techniques, essential leadership and business skills, improved operational and clinical performance skills and change management skills.

Ms Sherry Ayittey, Minister of Health said: ?The Government?has a development agenda incorporating strategies for achieving growth through improving human capital, strengthening the role of the private sector in the development of the economy, and providing good governance.?

She said the MoU with General Electric would drive the Government?s vision and commitment to ensure a healthy and productive population which would increase and improve the human capital of the country and create ?Wealth through Health?.

Under the MOU, GE would provide support in scaling up localised programmes focused on improving the health of women and children through its selected portfolio of products suited to low resource settings.

The company also plans to design appropriate healthcare solutions and new models of delivery in response to the unique needs of the country.

Mr Jay Ireland, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GE Africa, stated: ?With this MoU, GE is showing its commitment to work with the Ministry of Health to achieve its millennium development goals of reducing maternal and infant deaths in Ghana.?

The President and CEO of GE Healthcare in Africa, Mr Farid Fezoua noted: ?We are thankful to the Ministry of Health of Ghana for the confidence in the competencies that GE can bring to support the Government?s focus on developing a sustainable healthcare sector aimed at bringing better health to the citizens of Ghana?

?As a technology and solutions provider, we are committed to sharing our knowledge and expertise to assist our public and private partners in Africa in addressing some of the region?s biggest key healthcare challenges, from rural health to the rapid rise of non-communicable disease.

?Our MoU with the? Ministry of Health represents a major milestone.?

Mr Fezoua said through GE?s global ?Healthymagination? strategy, it remains focused on helping healthcare providers to increase access to more affordable and quality healthcare, improve skills capacity and ultimately support better patient outcomes across Africa.

From North Africa to Sub-Saharan Africa, GE Healthcare has been active in the continent for more than 100 years, partnering some of the region?s leading healthcare providers including ministries of health.

More than 25,000 GE healthcare systems and technologies are deployed in hospitals across the continent.

Source: GNA

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