The Ghana Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance (GhNCDA) has emphasized the need for the government to allocate more funds towards addressing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Ghana.
This call comes amidst a growing concern over the significant impact of NCDs on the country’s health landscape, with NCDs accounting for 74% of all deaths globally and 46% of mortality in Ghana. The Alliance highlighted the importance of supporting sensitization and treatment efforts, given the high costs associated with long-term or lifelong treatments for NCDs and mental health conditions.
“It is estimated that 3.1 million Ghanaians are living with mental health issues. Globally, it is estimated that 15 million lives a year will be ended prematurely as a result of NCD and Mental Health. Due to the chronic nature of NCD and Mental Health, it requires costly long-term or lifelong treatment. Treatment costs also increased exponentially in the case of multi-morbidities, which is becoming more of a norm rather than an exception.”
Mr. Labram Musah, National Coordinator of the GhNCDA
A study conducted at LEKMA hospital highlighted the most prevalent Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Ghana.
The study revealed that with a prevalence of 22.7%, hypertension is a significant concern, accounting for a substantial portion of the overall NCD burden in Ghana. This rate aligns with cross-sectional studies and systematic reviews conducted in Africa and Ghana, indicating a high prevalence of hypertension among the population.
The prevalence of stroke in the study was 2.1%, which is a rising concern, especially among young adults. This finding underscores the need for pragmatic measures to curtail the upsurge in the prevalence of stroke among adults, especially in the working population.
Additionally, Cardiovascular diseases, including heart diseases, are a major contributor to the NCD burden in Ghana, with hypertension being a significant component. The study found that about 65% of deaths in Ghana are associated with NCDs, with cardiovascular diseases and diabetes contributing to the largest national NCD burden.
Diabetes is another major NCD in Ghana, with a significant impact on the population’s health. The study’s findings contribute to the understanding of the prevalence of diabetes and its determinants among the Ghanaian population.
The study emphasized the need for strengthening health systems and health promotion activities to improve surveillance, treatment, and control activities for these NCDs. It also highlighted the importance of addressing the determinants of NCDs, such as modifying risk factors associated with the diseases, to reduce the burden of NCDs on individuals and society.
The Ghana Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance (GhNCDA) advocated adherence to the principles of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), aiming to ensure that all people, regardless of their income level, have access to quality health services without worrying about affordability.
Furthermore, the GhNCDA urged the government to earmark a portion of health-harming taxes to fund the health sector, particularly NCDs, as major NCDs are not covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
This call was made in the context of a Civil Society Status Report on National NCD Response and Landscape in Ghana, which pointed out the rising out-of-pocket payments by patients for NCD-related services, hindering early detection and treatment due to financial burden.
The report also recommended regular reviews of the tax structure to align with WHO recommendations and ECOWAS protocols, aiming to increase taxes on health-harming products to reduce affordability and raise revenue for the government.
Financing Non-Communicable Diseases
In terms of financing, the National Policy for the Prevention and Control of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases in Ghana outlines strategies for obtaining funding for NCDs from various sources, including government, traditional Development Partners, and the private sector.
“There will be earmarked funding and increased allocation to NCDs at all levels, facilitated by specific budget line items. The national health accounts system will be developed to regularly track NCD funding. Facilities will be encouraged to use their internally-generated funds to support NCD programmes such as screening and health education programmes.”
Ministry of Health, Ghana
Additionally, there will be advocacy for funds obtained from increased taxation on tobacco and alcoholic beverages to be invested in programs to reduce tobacco use and alcohol misuse.
The policy also emphasized the importance of research and development in NCDs, aiming to develop a national research agenda focusing on operational and implementation of research. This includes epidemiological studies, qualitative studies, economics, and basic science research to address various aspects of NCDs, from understanding risk behaviors to evaluating the operations of industries that undermine prevention efforts.
The GhNCDs’ call for increased government funding towards NCDs in Ghana is supported by a comprehensive understanding of the health challenges posed by NCDs, the need for adherence to UHC principles, and the strategic planning outlined in the National Policy for the Prevention and Control of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases in Ghana.
This policy provides a roadmap for financing, research, and development efforts to effectively address NCDs in the country.
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