President John Dramani Mahama has called for stronger, responsive and collaborative health regulation across Africa to safeguard patients and strengthen public confidence in healthcare systems.
Addressing the 28th Annual International Conference of the Association of Medical Councils of Africa in Accra, President Mahama said universal health coverage must go beyond access to healthcare to include safety, quality, ethics and accountability.
He highlighted emerging challenges including the rapid growth of digital health and artificial intelligence, the migration of health professionals, forged qualifications, humanitarian crises and the growing threat of misinformation.
President Mahama stressed the need for African regulators to strengthen cross-border cooperation, verify professional credentials, secure health data and develop appropriate frameworks for regulating digital health and AI. He also emphasised that AI must support, rather than replace, professional judgement and human responsibility.
On Ghana’s health agenda, the President noted that the National Health Insurance Scheme currently covers about 76 per cent of the population, with government targeting 90 per cent coverage. He also highlighted the rollout of the Free Primary Healthcare Programme in about 160 districts and efforts to expand local pharmaceutical production.
President Mahama urged African countries to work together to build health systems that are African in ownership, global in quality and uncompromising in protecting the public.
He subsequently declared the 28th Annual International Conference of the Association of Medical Councils of Africa officially open.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
