Health Service Supply Chain Practitioners conference underway in Koforidua

Koforidua, Nov. 15, GNA - The fifth annual conference on Health Service Supply Chain Practitioners Association, Ghana, opened in Koforidua on Thursday.     The four-day conference is under the theme “The role of the Supply Chain Practitioner towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s) 4, 5, and 6”.      Mr Alban Bagbin, Minister of Health, in a speech read on his behalf, announced that the Ministry would soon outdoor a five-year master plan for the public health sector commodity supply chain to accelerate Ghana’s quest to meet the MDGs.     “The country has initiated some unique strategies to address specific goals such as the MDG Accelerated Framework (MAF) for goal five”.     He said that plan when operationalized would transform the health supply system from a non-performing system to one that would guarantee ready access to good quality and affordable health commodities.     It would strengthen commodity security for HIV/AIDS, Malaria, TB and other public health commodities for the MDG to be met.     Mr Bagbin urged the participants to be thorough in their deliberations and come out with the best options to support the development and implementation of national policies to meet its health objectives.     “In your daily practice, put the client first, eliminate waste, and improve information management and data visibility to help provide a responsive supply chain system for all,” he said adding that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Government since January 2009 had been proactive and committed to the improvement of the health care delivery system in the country.     Mr Bagbin said that was demonstrated by the fact that the government had provided various infrastructures in various hospitals throughout the country and the general working conditions of health Personnel at all levels had witnessed significant improvement.     Mr Victor Smith, the Eastern Regional Minister, urged the Supply Chain Practitioners to ensure that goods and services procured were really essential to the conduct of public business and those goods and services brought into stores were utilized economically and to the maximum effect.     He urged that procurement process be guided by transparency, efficiency and optimum benefit to the organization and the nation.     Mr Smith challenged them to contribute towards the achievement of the MDGs four, five and six, which deal with infant mortality, maternal deaths and HIV and AIDS.   He charged them to ensure accountability and transparency in the management of national resources at their disposal.     Mr Joseph Kotie-Nkansah, President of Health Service Supply Chain Practitioners Association, expressed worry over poor remuneration and general conditions of service of members.     He noted that an appropriate remuneration and better conditions of service would not only retain the few members in the service but also attract a lot into it.   GNA... Read Full Story