2012 Holistic Assessment of Health Sector POW - Ministry of Health

The pneumococcal, meningococcal and rotavirus vaccines including second dose of measles vaccines were
successfully introduced.
It was planned to disseminate and implement the National Nutrition Policy. The draft of the policy has been
developed and is being prepared for submission to cabinet. Nutrition, Malaria and Child Survival Program
was implemented to improve the nutritional status of children using community based approaches in
districts in Upper West, Upper East, Volta and Central Region.
To reduce malaria case fatality for the vulnerable groups, ACTs for treatment were procured and
distributed through the AMFm programme. LLINs Hang Up campaign was organized in all the regions.
The plan for the year was to maintain the polio free status of the country and validate eradication of guinea
worm and polio. To achieve this, surveillance activities including case searches were intensified.
The plan for the year was to increased case detection for NTDs. To achieve this, the Ministry finalized the
NTD Master Plan for Ghana for the period 2011 to 2015 in collaboration with WHO. The plan was shared
with the relevant stakeholders. Mass drug administration was conducted for Onchocerciasis,
schistosomiasis and Lymphatic Filariasis in communities and schools
The scaling up of the detection and management of non-communicable diseases through the
implementation of the national strategy for cancer control and expansion of screening program for
hypertension, diabetes and sickle cell were also not done. Though the guidelines for the cancer programme
have been developed they are yet to be printed.
5. Agency assessments
Centre for scientific research into plant medicine
The Centre for Scientific Research into plant medicine was set up to conduct and promote scientific
research relating to the improvement of plant medicine. Total staff at post at the centre is 192. The centre
screened and selected 4plants each for diabetes, hypertension and malaria respectively and 2 plants for
prostate cancer. Preliminary analysis on 4 anti hypertensive plant extracts showed promise in decreasing
blood pressure over a four week period in laboratory rats. Safety and efficacy evaluations of three out of
four herbal products which not dose dependent showed considerable reduction in parasitemia. With
regards to Dissemination of research findings (4 research papers and 6 technical reports) on quality,
efficacy and safety of herbal medicines; Two (2) papers were published
Allied health profession
It also works with other relevant organizations to provide accreditation to qualified training institutions
providing allied health programmes. It regulates practice standards of professionals.
Planned activities include among others the development of guidelines for accrediting training institutions
and programs in collaboration with the National Accreditation Board. A total of 34 applications were
received from training institutions for accreditation. A workshop on curricula for allied health programs in
the West African sub-region was held. The allied health professions Bill was passed by parliament and is
awaiting presidential accent.
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