The Director General of Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye has launched the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) CHPS Phase II projects following a successful implementation of the Phase I.
The Comprehensive Community-Based Primary Health Care Strengthening Project is a collaboration between the government of Ghana and the Republic of Korea and support from UNICEF.
The initiative was conceptualised to improve maternal, neonatal and child health services at health facilities as well as strengthening health systems especially in less privileged communities.
Speaking at the National launch in Nalerigu in the North East Region last Wednesday, July 19, 2023, Dr Kuma-Aboagye said the evolution of CHPS into a vital component of primary healthcare in Ghana has contributed to improving health outcomes, reducing maternal and child mortality in the pursuit of improved health outcomes.
He mentioned one of the key achievements of CHPS is the significant expansion of essential curative and preventive integrated care, which has yielded positive results in the fight against communicable diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS through early detection and timely treatment.
The GHS Boss noted as a testament to its effectiveness, CHPS has garnered recognition from national and international platforms, as an effective model for other countries striving to achieve equitable and accessible healthcare for all.
Dr Kuma-Aboagye said despite the considerable achievement, there are ongoing efforts to enhance and refine the system in order to address the bottlenecks in governance and leadership as well as resource constraints and infrastructure development in remote areas persist.
“To overcome the initial bottlenecks identified during implementation, the Ghana Essential Health Intervention Programme (GEHIP) was launched in 2009. GEHIP, a plausibility trial, demonstrated practical ways to scale up CHPS while enhancing service quality and introducing emergency public health capabilities. Notably, districts implementing GEHIP experienced a rapid decline in under-five mortality, showcasing the life-saving potential of the program’s systems strengthening strategies” he added.
Phase II project
According to the GHS Director General, the phase two project will seek to enhance community engagement and support for CHPS, improve the quality of maternal, new-born, and child health services at health facilities, and strengthen the health system environment.
He stated these goals align closely with the Ghana Universal Health Coverage Roadmap, emphasizing decentralization, strategic partnerships, and universal access to essential health interventions.
Dr Kuma-Aboagye gave an assurance that the Ghana Health Service remains committed to ensure the smooth implementation of the project activities. He also thanked KOICA for their unwavering support to Ghana’s health sector.
“Your collaboration has contributed to the significant strides made in improving community-based primary health care. I also appreciate all the stakeholders, partners, and all health staff involved in implementing the CHPS+ Project. Your dedication and commitment have been instrumental in our achievements so far” he emphasized.
Phase II cost
Meanwhile, the Country Director of the Korean International Cooperation Agency, Mr. Seungmin OH in his remarks announced that his outfit has secured a larger funding support of USD12 million for Phase II of the Project.
“Recognizing the remarkable accomplishments of Phase I of the project, KOICA is determined to replicate its success and further extend our support.”
He added that the Phase II will be implemented within a five-year period spanning from 2023 to 2027 in partnership with the Ghana Health Service and UNICEF.
The Upper East and North East Regions are expected to be part of the areas of implementation for the phase two project.
Mr. Seungmin OH intimated that the Phase II of the CHPS + project symbolizes the unwavering commitment of the Korea government and its implementing partners to improve the health and well-being of the Ghanaian citizens particularly those in the Upper East and North East Regions.
