The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has launched a new initiative to bolster its capacity to manage public health emergencies.
The Emergency Preparedness and Response Capacity Building for the African Volunteers Health Corps (AVoHC-SURGE) was inaugurated on July 27, 2024, in Ho, Volta Region.
This program aims to train 55 multi-disciplinary teams capable of responding to public health crises within 24-48 hours, both locally and internationally.
The Director-General of the GHS, Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “Rapid response to public health emergencies is crucial in mitigating the impact of such crises.”
Participants of the program include experts from national, regional, and district levels, each bringing their unique skills and experience in public health emergency management. These multi-disciplinary teams will undergo rigorous training to ensure they can effectively coordinate and respond during emergencies.
The initiative underscores the importance of preparedness, with a focus on safety before, during, and after emergencies or natural disasters. Dr. Kuma-Aboagye highlighted, “Our goal is to build a resilient health system capable of handling emergencies efficiently and effectively.”
The launch of this initiative also reflects the ongoing efforts by organizations like SEND Ghana, which has campaigned for increased budgetary allocations for emergency preparedness and response financing.
The campaign, initiated several years ago, aimed to ensure that the government prioritizes funding for epidemic response.
This new GHS initiative represents a significant step forward in enhancing Ghana’s public health emergency management capabilities, aligning with broader efforts to strengthen the country’s health infrastructure.
