Kintampo North MP Calls for National Health Security Fund to Tackle Emergencies

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Kintampo North, Joseph Kwame Kumah, has called for the establishment of a National Health Security Fund to support Ghana in responding effectively to pandemics, disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies.

In a statement on the floor of parliament on Thursday, March 13, 2026, the MP said Ghana must strengthen its preparedness for health crises by creating a sustainable domestic funding mechanism to support emergency health responses.

According to him, the country has experienced several disease outbreaks and disasters over the past three decades, highlighting the urgent need for a dedicated fund to safeguard public health.

He noted that between 2020 and 2023, Ghana faced multiple outbreaks including COVID-19, Yellow Fever, Mpox, Marburg virus disease and Measles.

In July 2024, the country also recorded the emergence of Dengue Fever alongside a cholera outbreak affecting five regions.

He further cited rising cases of acute respiratory infections linked to the Human metapneumovirus infection reported in parts of the Northern Hemisphere.

Mr. Kumah explained that these outbreaks demonstrate how unpredictable diseases can be and the devastating consequences they may have on public health systems.

He added that natural disasters, particularly flooding, have also become frequent in Ghana, often creating additional health threats for communities.

The MP also expressed concern about the rising number of deaths from road accidents and non-communicable diseases, which he said now account for about 74 percent of deaths in the country.

In 2023 alone, road accidents reportedly caused 2,276 deaths, while between January and September 2024, 1,817 people lost their lives, representing an 8.35 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023.

Mr. Kumah emphasised that Ghana’s health emergency preparedness remains weak and that many health facilities lack adequate response systems.

Citing research findings, he said a large proportion of health facilities in the country do not have emergency preparedness plans, surge capacity arrangements, triage systems for mass emergencies or mutual aid agreements.

He further pointed out that Ghana relies heavily on external donor support and loans to respond to health emergencies.

According to him, countries without reliable domestic funding mechanisms often struggle to respond effectively when crises occur.

The MP referenced the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, noting that Ghana had to depend largely on the support of international partners to mobilise resources to manage the crisis.

He also raised concerns about potential reductions in external health funding due to shifts in global politics, including the withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organization.

This development, he said, makes it even more critical for Ghana to focus on mobilising domestic resources to strengthen health security.

Mr. Kumah acknowledged that the National Disaster Management Organization already has multi-hazard emergency preparedness and response plans as well as water, sanitation and hygiene emergency response strategies.

However, he stressed the need for a more targeted framework specifically designed to address public health emergencies with a dedicated funding mechanism to ensure effective implementation.

He also commended the Ministry of Health (Ghana) for developing a Health Security Policy that includes a sustainable funding component aimed at strengthening the country’s capacity to respond to health threats.

The Kintampo North legislator urged his colleagues in Parliament to support the proposed Health Security Bill when it is presented before the House.

He said passing the legislation would strengthen Ghana’s ability to finance and implement the International Health Regulations and improve national preparedness for future emergencies.

Mr. Kumah concluded by emphasising that strengthening Ghana’s health security system is essential for protecting lives and supporting economic development, noting that a healthy nation is the foundation of a prosperous country.

Source: Felix Nyaaba//expressnewsghana.com