Annual Programme of Work 2009 - Ministry of Health

1. INTRODUCTION
The focus of the 2009 Programme of Work of the Health Sector is defined by a number of
converging issues. Firstly, the Five Year Programme of Work (2007- 2011) enters its third
year, which also represents the mid-term of its implementation. The year therefore
provides opportunities for thorough review of strategies and programmes with the view to
improving the potential of the sector meeting its medium term targets.
Secondly, the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS II) is in its last year of
implementation. This will require increased efforts by the sector to meet the agreed targets
while at the same time putting in place structures and mechanisms that will allow for the
consolidation and sustenance of gains made so far. The 2009 Programme of Work
therefore continues to be driven by the Medium Term Health Strategies, the GPRS II and
national commitments towards the MDGs.
The year 2009 will be a transitional year for a new administration and although priorities
have been clearly defined in the Five Year Programme of Work, the 2009 Programme of
Work provides scope for new key government policies and priorities in the health sector to
be incorporated.
In general the 2009 programme maintains the broad national direction towards attaining a
middle income status by 2015 as contained in the Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy
II. The health sector is seen as a key contributor to this vision by ensuring that the country
has a healthy human capital to support national development. The programme therefore
keeps in focus the need to ensure the continued survival of children, safe reproduction, a
significant reduction in the risk and burden of diseases and reducing inequalities in health
outcomes.
The theme for 2009 is “Change for Better Results: Improving Maternal and Neonatal
Health” This theme requires that in 2009, things are done differently to ensure better
results and accelerate the attainment of targets. Particular emphasis will therefore be
placed on refocusing programmes and activities to enhance the chances of the health sector
meeting targets set for the medium term. In this direction, specific attention will be given
to the implementation of policies targeted at accelerating expected changes in health
indices. In particular policies on reducing maternal and neonatal deaths and improved
health services for children will be enforced. Specific changes in human resource
management will be made to improve productivity. Continued attention will be given to
gender mainstreaming and methods and processes for the identification and provision of
services to the poor. The gains made under the regenerative health and nutrition
programme will be consolidated and expanded.
Efforts have been made to address specific health system bottlenecks observed during the
review of the 2007 Programme of Work and the half year review of the 2008 programmes.
Key among these is the need to improve policy coordination and programme alignment,
budget execution and reporting, streamlining information management and data collection
systems and linking procurement plans and cycles to the budget. In 2009 these will be
reviewed and strengthened.
This programme of work provides an overview of the sector’s priorities for 2009 and a
reflection of how agencies in the health sector intend to meet the priorities.
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