A team from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has arrived in Ghana for a three-day official working visit. The delegation, led by the Head of Infectious Diseases at Africa CDC, Dr Serge Batcho, aims to assess Ghana's progress in viral hepatitis control. The team also includes the Programme Manager of the National Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (NVHCP), Dr John Gerald Adiiboka, and other technical experts. They were received by the Director of Technical Coordination at the Ministry of Health, Dr Hafez Adam Taher.
Dr Batcho expressed appreciation for Ghana's progress in addressing viral hepatitis and commended the country's sense of direction in tackling major infectious diseases. The visit will provide an opportunity for the Africa CDC team to gain a deeper understanding of Ghana's achievements and challenges in the fight against viral hepatitis. The team will explore areas where the continental body can offer further support to Ghana's efforts.
Discussions during the engagement at the Ministry of Health focused on strengthening diagnostic capacity and building the capacity of health workers. The team also discussed improving the integration of care, including approaches to triple elimination and effective linkage of patients to care. Advocacy, public sensitisation, and community engagement were highlighted as crucial in improving awareness and access to viral hepatitis prevention, diagnosis, and treatment services.
Dr Taher noted that Ghana's healthcare landscape is undergoing significant changes, with a renewed emphasis on primary healthcare and early detection. The Free Primary Healthcare (FPHC) initiative has the potential to strengthen early detection, referral, and linkage to care. Dr Taher also acknowledged the financial and technical support received from partners, including the Africa CDC, in advancing Ghana's viral hepatitis response.
Dr Taher specifically mentioned the support facilitated through the Africa CDC, including the donation of medicines from Egypt for the treatment of hepatitis C in Ghana. He called for the Ministry to be notified ahead of the arrival of such consignments to facilitate clearance processes and minimise additional costs. Dr Taher expressed confidence that stronger collaboration between Ghana and the Africa CDC would accelerate efforts to strengthen viral hepatitis control.
During the three-day visit, the Africa CDC team is scheduled to meet the Director-General and some Divisional Directors. They will also visit selected health facilities and STOP Hep C sites, engaging key stakeholders within Ghana's viral hepatitis elimination ecosystem. The visit is part of the Africa CDC's Continental Viral Hepatitis Programme, which seeks to strengthen continental efforts towards the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and eventual elimination of viral hepatitis.
The Africa CDC previously facilitated the importation of medicines from Egypt to support the treatment of hepatitis C in Ghana. The team's visit forms part of ongoing efforts to support Ghana's viral hepatitis response. The collaboration between Ghana and the Africa CDC aims to improve access to viral hepatitis services and accelerate progress towards elimination of the disease.
Key points
- The Africa CDC team will assess Ghana's progress in viral hepatitis control and identify new areas of support.
- The visit aims to strengthen continental efforts towards the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and eventual elimination of viral hepatitis.
- Ghana's healthcare landscape is undergoing significant changes, with a renewed emphasis on primary healthcare and early detection.
