President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo expressed hope that the incoming Mahama administration will complete the Agenda 111 project, an ambitious initiative aimed at addressing healthcare gaps in Ghana.
Addressing Parliament on his final State of the Nation Address, the President said, “I’m hoping that the incoming Mahama administration will ensure that the project is completed to put our health infrastructure on a sound footing.”
The Agenda 111 project seeks to construct 101 district hospitals, two psychiatric hospitals, and regional hospitals in underserved areas.
President Akufo-Addo reported that contractors have been deployed to 99 district hospital sites and two psychiatric hospitals, with progress on these sites ranging from 5% to 95%.
While only three district hospitals were commissioned on December 5, he highlighted the significance of the initiative in strengthening Ghana’s healthcare infrastructure.
“This pandemic showed us some of the alarming shortcomings of our health delivery system. Agenda 111 aims to ensure we’re reasonably prepared to meet the next emergency,” he said.
The president also celebrated strides in emergency healthcare delivery, citing the revitalization of the National Ambulance Service. The number of functioning ambulances increased from 55 in 2016 to over 300, ensuring timely responses to emergencies.
Additionally, he said the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was revived, with subscribers increasing from 10.6 million in 2016 to 17.9 million by the end of 2023.
The scheme’s scope was expanded to cover treatments for sickle cell disease, kidney dialysis, and childhood cancers. A new mobile renewal system also made subscription easier and more accessible.
President Akufo-Addo acknowledged the pandemic’s strain on the health sector and the economy.
He praised his administration’s efforts to build resilience, including conducting a parliamentary audit of COVID-19 expenditures to ensure transparency and accountability.
“The pandemic’s consequences have gone way beyond what anyone could have imagined. But we strived to seek remedies and ensure we are better prepared for future emergencies,” he noted.
