In a thoughtful endorsement of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s proposed Free Primary Health Care policy, Dr. Kwame Asiedu Sarpong, a Democracy and Development Fellow in Public Health at the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), has lauded the initiative as a potentially transformative move for Ghana’s healthcare system.
However, Dr Sarpong emphasized the critical need for a detailed and transparent explanation of how the policy will be financed to ensure its successful implementation.
“Fiscal space permitting and if implemented properly, Free Primary Health Care will be one of the most sensible policies in health”, Dr. Sarpong asserted.
Dr. Sarpong’s support for the policy according to him is rooted in its alignment with global health goals, particularly the aspiration to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030, as outlined in Sustainable Development Goal 3.
He highlighted that in countries where similar policies have been successfully implemented, there have been significant improvements in public health outcomes.
The renowned Pharmacist and public health activist further elaborated on the benefits observed in other countries, noting that such policies have led to increased outpatient visits per capita and early diagnosis of chronic diseases.
He noted that this, in turn, has reduced disease management costs, improved health outcomes, and extended life expectancy, particularly in terms of quality-adjusted healthy years.
“I said this in 2020 and still stand by it,” Dr. Sarpong remarked, underscoring his consistent support for the initiative.
Financing NDC’s Free Primary Healthcare Policy
Despite his strong endorsement, Dr. Sarpong raised an essential question that he noted must be addressed in the matter of financing.
According to him, while the policy has the potential to significantly enhance healthcare access, its success hinges on the availability of fiscal space within the national budget.
“Finance should not be a barrier to healthcare access at the point of use,” he stressed, aligning with the broader vision of ensuring that all citizens can receive necessary medical care without financial hindrance.
Dr Kwame Asiedu Sarpong, however, contended that the path to realizing the policy would meet challenges, particularly in the current economic climate, posing a critical inquiry to the NDC and policymakers.
He asked “Do we have the fiscal space? If we don’t, can light be thrown on how space will be created in the Healthcare budget?”
His question reflects a broader concern about the sustainability of the policy, especially given Ghana’s existing economic constraints.
For the Free Primary Health Care policy to be more than just a campaign promise, Dr. Sarpong insisted that a clear and feasible financial plan must be presented.
This plan, he noted should outline how the government intends to allocate resources without compromising other critical areas of the health sector or plunging the country into further debt.
In conclusion, while the NDC proposed policy represents a significant step towards achieving universal health coverage in Ghana, a goal that is both ambitious and necessary, yet, as Dr. Sarpong aptly pointed out, ambition must be matched with practicality.
The success of the policy will depend not only on its implementation but also on a robust financial strategy that ensures its long-term sustainability.
There is therefore a critical need for a thorough examination of the fiscal realities that could either make or break the policy.
The NDC, along with all stakeholders, must now rise to the challenge of crafting a detailed and transparent financial roadmap that will turn this visionary policy into a reality for all Ghanaians if in the circumstance it wins political power.
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