Dr. Fiona Braka, the World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative to Ghana, has emphasized the need for stronger collaboration with research institutions in the Upper East Region to generate evidence for effective health policies and programs. During a familiarization visit to the region, Dr. Braka engaged with the management and staff of the Navrongo Health Research Centre (NHRC) to better understand the region's healthcare delivery system and explore areas for deeper collaboration. The visit aimed to help the WHO understand the region's unique context and align its support accordingly.
The WHO Country Representative stressed that research and evidence are central to the organization's work, particularly in developing policies, standards, and guidelines to guide healthcare delivery. Dr. Braka noted that the WHO's mandate is to promote health and ensure that everyone, regardless of location or status, attains the highest possible standard of health. She commended the contribution of academia and research institutions to Ghana's health sector, citing previous collaboration with the NHRC on research into childhood vaccines.
Dr. Braka highlighted the importance of evidence-based decision-making in healthcare, particularly as resources become increasingly scarce. She emphasized that the WHO is keen to strengthen partnerships with research institutions to generate evidence to guide the introduction and optimization of health interventions. The WHO Country Representative expressed optimism about deepening collaboration with the NHRC and the Upper East Regional Health Directorate to ensure that health programs remain responsive to emerging needs.
Dr. Patrick Odum Ansah, the Director of the NHRC, highlighted the centre's four-decade contribution to health research and public health in Ghana. Established in 1988, the NHRC has conducted groundbreaking research that has influenced public health policies and interventions in Ghana and beyond. The centre's operational area covers over 40% of the country's land mass and about 20% of its population, with a widely dispersed population that presents challenges in administering health interventions.
The NHRC currently has about 208,000 people under surveillance and is working to establish satellite sites across the five regions to improve geographical coverage. Dr. Ansah noted that the centre was absorbed into the Ministry of Health in 1992 and became the first research centre under the Ghana Health Service's Research and Development Division. The NHRC has made significant contributions to health research, including studies on vitamin A supplementation to improve infant health.
Dr. Braka's visit was accompanied by Dr. Zakariah Adam, the Acting Regional Deputy Director of Public Health, Ghana Health Service, Dr. Michael Rockson Adjei, Medical Officer, Immunization, WHO, and Mr. Christopher Tamal, Technical Officer Public Health Emergencies, WHO. The WHO Country Representative thanked the Upper East Regional Health Directorate and its leadership for facilitating the engagement and expressed enthusiasm for future collaborations.
The collaboration between the WHO and the NHRC is expected to strengthen the healthcare system in the Upper East Region, improve health outcomes, and inform evidence-based decision-making. The visit demonstrates the WHO's commitment to supporting Ghana's health sector and promoting health equity. Key areas of collaboration will focus on generating evidence for effective health policies and programs, strengthening research institutions, and improving healthcare delivery.
Key points
- The WHO is seeking stronger collaboration with research institutions in the Upper East Region to generate evidence for effective health policies and programs.
- The Navrongo Health Research Centre has made significant contributions to health research in Ghana, including studies on vitamin A supplementation and childhood vaccines.
- The collaboration between the WHO and the NHRC aims to strengthen the healthcare system in the Upper East Region and promote health equity.
