State of Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Capacity of Ghana
Franklin Asiedu-Berkoe, Gloria Margaretta Chandi, Delia Akosua Bandoh, Benedicta Kafui Atsu, Virgil Kuassi Lokossou, Simon Antara, Badu Sarkodie, Ernest Kenu
Abstract
Background: In developing countries, health systems in general, and public health systems in particular are under-resourced in many respects. In February 2017, Ghana underwent the Joint External Evaluation (JEE) and followed up with the development of a National Action Plan for Health Security to address the numerous critical gaps identified in all technical areas. To complement the ongoing efforts of the World Health Organisation towards securing global health security, the West Africa Health Organisation (WAHO) embarked on country missions to all the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member states to identify best practices (successes), problems, challenges, gaps, and recommendations for preparedness and response to epidemics and health emergencies in the sub-region. Objective: We share WAHO’s evaluation findings of Ghana’s state of preparedness and capacity to respond to epidemics and health emergencies in the ECOWAS sub-region post the JEE. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in September 2018 to assess the country’s capacity. Desk reviews and interviews with key stakeholders of health were conducted. Findings from both sources were triangulated and described under the IHR core capacity themes. Results: Ghana has a substantial amount of skilled human resource capacity available to handle health emergencies and has strategic plans, SOPs and other guidelines for use at all levels. There is poor coordination at the local level and poor collaboration between other sectors. Conclusion: Though Ghana has the required human resource capacity to handle public health emergencies, it is faced with poor coordination and collaboration among the sectors as major barriers to achieving epidemic preparedness and response.