SEND Ghana, a civil society organisation, has urged the government to create a Public Health Emergency Fund (PHEF).
When implemented, this, according to SEND Ghana, will "contribute to the development of a resilient healthcare system to accommodate and support investments in health infrastructure, logistics, human resources, risk communication during outbreaks, local manufacturing of vaccines and medications, and health research."
As the globe observes International Day of Epidemic Preparedness, the organisation issued this call. SEND Ghana stated that the request "has become urgent in the aftermath of the many outbreaks of illnesses, including the new coronavirus, Marburg, Monkeypox and other recurrent diseases like as meningitis and influenza" in a release signed by the deputy country director, Emmanuel Ayifah.
The organisation said it hopes the government heeds the plea and takes the required actions to create the PHEF by the end of 2023, particularly as some Ghanaians start to question the necessity of the COVID-19 levy.
"Having a preparedness strategy in place is less expensive than not planning for disease outbreaks. Therefore, rather than waiting to take action until outbreaks occur, Ghana must be ready for future epidemics and react swiftly to them. Lack of preparation might prove catastrophic for Ghana and put further strain on its already overburdened economy and health system. The government and other stakeholders must make a determined and coordinated effort to be prepared, they continued.
"Lessons learnt from earlier outbreaks, like the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, monkeypox, and Ebola Virus illness reveal that nations with superior preparedness incur less consequences than countries that are unprepared," the organisation claims.
The Sustainable Development Goals might experience setbacks as a result of the effects of disease outbreaks (WHO, 2021).
SEND Ghana also pleaded with the government to convert the COVID-I9 National Trust Fund (CNTF), which was already in place and was created by an Act of Parliament in 2020 (Act 1013), into the PHEF and to make money received from the COVID-I9 Recovery Levy the PHEF's main source of financing.
The CNTF can also continue to use other financial resources, such contributions from foundations, businesses, generous donors, and patriotic Ghanaians.
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