First Lady Mrs Lordina Dramani Mahama has acknowledged the government’s plans to implement a Free Primary Healthcare Programme and upgrade community and district health facilities across the country.
Speaking at a fundraising gala organised by the Africa Development Foundation and Helping Africa Foundation in New York to support the Lordina Foundation’s maternity projects, the First Lady said the John Mahama administration has responded positively to the challenges shown by the Foundation’s work across the country.
“The government has announced plans to implement a Free Primary Healthcare Programme for all Ghanaians. This will come with the provision of CHPS compounds and health centres in our communities to make access to the facilities easier. Existing district hospitals and polyclinics will be upgraded with equipment and medical personnel,” she said.
Mrs Mahama who is the Founder and President of the Lordina Foundation told her audience that more than 3,000 Ghanaian babies die each month before their first birthday. The infant mortality rate is 52 deaths per 1,000 live births and the maternal mortality rate is 103 per 100,000 live births.
“No mother, anywhere, should face childbirth gripped by such fear for her life or her baby,” she said.
The First Lady called for continued oversight to ensure government commitments translate into improvements on the ground.
“My advocacy as First Lady, in collaboration with my sister, the Vice President of Ghana, is to ensure that the Chief of Staff and the Minister for Health fulfil the government’s promises to the people,” she said.
The Lordina Foundation has constructed and equipped three model maternity and children’s wards in Bole, Nkoranza and Bodom. It has also carried out renovations at other centres such as the Hohoe Adabraka Health Centre.
At the New York event she asked donors to support the expansion of those efforts as the Foundation steps onto a truly international stage to increase its impact and complement public sector reforms.
Richard Aniagyei, ISD
