Dr. Mark Kurt Nawaane, Chairman of Parliament's Select Committee on Health, has stated that Ghana must retain control over any medical records shared with external partners under international health agreements. He described medical records as a "no-go area" and emphasized that Ghana must establish exactly what information an international partner is seeking before agreeing to any data-sharing arrangement. This assertion was made in light of a proposed US health compact that was rejected by the Ghanaian government.
Dr. Nawaane highlighted that Ghana routinely provides international organizations with health statistics such as maternal and child mortality rates and life expectancy. However, he stressed that such aggregate statistics should not be treated in the same way as medical records. According to Dr. Nawaane, Ghana already shares health data with the international community, although some of the available information may not always be current. He emphasized that the situation becomes fundamentally different when an agreement refers to specific medical records.
The Parliament Health Committee Chair questioned whether a provision to share medical records could potentially extend beyond national health statistics to information relating to specific groups. He asked if Ghana should be able to supply aggregated medical records of politicians or women, emphasizing that the critical issue is not whether Ghana should cooperate with international health partners, but the scope, purpose, and control of any information shared.
Dr. Nawaane's comments come after President John Mahama explained the government's decision to reject a proposed US health compact intended to replace funding previously provided through the United States Agency for International Development. President Mahama said the Ministry of Health reviewed the proposed arrangement and flagged provisions relating to pathogen information, medical records, counterpart funding, and the inspection of medicines and medical products.
The issue of health data has also featured in negotiations between the United States and other African countries. The Associated Press reported that Zimbabwe rejected a proposed health agreement in part because of concerns over a requirement to share sensitive health data. Dr. Nawaane emphasized that Ghana's engagement with international partners should be guided by clear limits on what health information can be shared.
Dr. Nawaane maintained that while health cooperation remains important, Ghana must preserve its authority over sensitive medical information and ensure that any data-sharing arrangement is clearly defined and subject to appropriate safeguards. He emphasized that Ghana must be able to determine what information is released, who has access to it, and how it can be used.
The controversy surrounding the US health deal highlights the challenges faced by Ghana and other African countries in balancing the need for international cooperation in healthcare with the need to protect sensitive medical information. As Dr. Nawaane noted, "As a sovereign state, we decide what we put out there." The issue remains a pressing concern for Ghana and other countries navigating international health agreements.
Key points
- Ghana's Parliament Health Committee Chair, Dr. Mark Kurt Nawaane, emphasizes the need for control over medical records shared with external partners under international health agreements.
- The Ghanaian government rejected a proposed US health compact due to concerns over provisions relating to pathogen information, medical records, counterpart funding, and the inspection of medicines and medical products.
- The issue of health data sharing has featured in negotiations between the US and other African countries, including Zimbabwe, which rejected a proposed health agreement over concerns about sharing sensitive health data.
