Queen Máxima’s visit could unlock new partnerships for Ghana’s healthcare transformation – Dr Peter Yeboah

The Executive Director of the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), Dr Peter Yeboah, believes Queen Máxima of the Netherlands’ visit to Ghana could open new opportunities for international partnerships, technical cooperation and investment in the country’s healthcare system. He says Ghana must capitalise on the international attention to attract strategic investments that will improve healthcare delivery, strengthen existing institutions and expand innovative models of patient care.

Speaking to JoyNews on the sidelines of the Queen’s visit to Manna Mission Hospital in Accra, DDrYeboah described the engagement as an endorsement of Ghana’s efforts to develop innovative healthcare solutions through collaboration between local institutions and international partners. “The Queen’s visit, in many ways, demonstrates that Ghana’s health system has attracted interest from several investors and partners abroad,” he said.

“It is time for us to leverage strategic partnerships, technical cooperation and catalytic investments to initiate value-based healthcare within the entire health system.” Queen Máxima, who visited Ghana in her capacity as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Financial Health, interacted with patients, healthcare providers and policymakers at Manna Mission Hospital to learn how digital healthcare and innovative financing models are improving patient outcomes.

The visit highlighted a Value-Based Care initiative jointly developed by CHAG, PharmAccess and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), which combines hospital consultations with digital monitoring of patients living with chronic diseases. Through PharmAccess’ NkwaPlus platform, patients living with hypertension and diabetes can monitor their conditions remotely and receive follow-up care from healthcare professionals without making frequent visits to the hospital.

CHAG seeks partnerships to expand healthcare innovation DDrYeboah said the experience at Manna Mission Hospital provides an opportunity to attract additional technical and financial support to expand similar healthcare innovations across Ghana. He explained that discussions during the Queen’s visit centred on how existing partnerships could be strengthened to support the wider adoption of Value-Based Care.

“We have all agreed on the need to harness our competencies, strengths and goodwill,” he said. “We spoke about the strategic partnerships we need, technical collaboration and, of course, catalytic investments to ensure that the proof of concept we have demonstrated at Manna Mission is scaled up across other facilities.” He maintained that Ghana was making progress in adopting healthcare models that prioritise improved patient outcomes and efficient service delivery.

“It is very clear that Ghana is on the right track,” he stated. CHAG Executive Director believes the success of future partnerships will depend on Ghana’s ability to document the results of existing interventions and use the evidence to attract further investment. “If we can seize the moment, document and learn the lessons, and use them to inform the broader health financing reforms that are ongoing, we can ensure that providers become more accountable,” he explained.

The CHAG Executive Director stressed that international partnerships must ultimately deliver tangible benefits for patients while improving the sustainability of healthcare providers. He said the Association would continue working with relevant institutions to expand healthcare innovations that improve access to quality medical services. “The Queen is fully aligned with our vision as a nation to promote holistic and inclusive healthcare services, and with CHAG’s role as a vital innovator and promoter of value across the entire healthcare value chain,” he said.

Dr Yeboah maintained that Ghana has an opportunity to build on existing collaborations and position its healthcare sector to attract greater international investment. He believes the expansion of such partnerships could contribute to a more sustainable healthcare system and support the country’s broader socioeconomic development.