The Ministry of Health, in partnership with the University of Bergen in Norway and the University of Ghana, has launched the Support to Evidence-informed Priority Setting (StEPS) Project for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Ghana.
The project’s objective is to improve prudent management of health resources through effective priority setting, with a focus on enhancing efficiency, equity, and financial risk protection for essential NCDs.
Minister for Health, Kwaku Agyeman- Manu, in a speech read on his behalf by Dr Hafez Adams Taher, Director for External Health Cooperation at the Ministry emphasized that the goal of the project is to navigate the complexities of NCDs, identify the most effective interventions, and allocate resources judiciously.
This initiative according to the minister is a crucial step toward reducing the burden of NCDs on our healthcare system and on society as a whole.
He also noted that tobacco use and harmful alcohol consumption are significant risk factors for NCDs and emphasized the importance of raising awareness about these behaviors while providing support for individuals seeking to quit smoking or reduce alcohol consumption.
The StEPS Project Coordinator, Professor Lumbwe Chola from Norway, explained that the project would enhance capacity in health economics and priority setting related to NCDs in Ghana.
The expected outcomes include training experts in health economics and priority setting to strengthen the Ministry of Health’s capacity.
Dr. Mrs. Martha Gyansa-Lutterodt, Chairperson for the occasion, emphasized the need for a comprehensive and targeted approach to address the burden of NCDs in Ghana.
She highlighted the importance of addressing risk factors to effectively reduce the impact of NCDs and improve the overall health and well-being of the population.