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A group of young people calling themselves Patriotic Youth Advocates (PYA) have rejected calls from sections of the public and civil society groups asking the Minister of Health to resign from his post for circumventing due process in the purchase Sputnik V.
The minister, during his appearance before the parliamentary commission responsible for investigating the supply saga, admitted to having contracted an intermediary Sheikh Maktoum to procure the vaccine at US $ 19 instead of US $ 10.
In a firm statement signed by Nana Kwasi and Asante Kwadwo, spokesperson for PYA, he said the Minister of Health’s intentions testified that he wished the best for Ghana when the going was tough.
The group noted that the Minister of Health prioritized the health and safety of Ghanaians over procedural measures.
He indicated that in all his dealings with the Sheikh Maktoum group, the Minister of Health was guided by the ethics of his office to first protect the lives of Ghanaian citizens from the marauding virus.
EXPLOITS
The group recounted several large-scale measures and initiatives in which the Minister of Health committed from the support office in 2017.
According to the group, in 2017, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) owed hospitals and plan service providers 13 months in arrears.
Currently, the group noted that the NHIA owes only 4 months of arrears to service providers.
Mr. Kwaku Agyeman Manu, the group noted, worked to reinstate the nursing training allowance that was canceled by the previous NDC government.
ABSENCE OF STRIKE ACTIONS
The group noted that Mr. Agyeman Manu’s excellent negotiating skills reversed the unrest and strike action of doctors and nurses compared to the previous NDC administration.
The group praised the sector minister for what they claim to be the smooth functioning of the NHIS system and the deployment of technology for renewals and instant payments.
By this, the group claims that the minister has ensured that fraud in the system is stopped.
The group added that the health minister had worked to clear the backlog of doctors, nurses and midwives who had to work in the health system since 2012.
Mr. Kwaku Agyeman Manu, the group recalled that it has initiated many infrastructure projects including the installation of more than 200 CHPS compounds.
According to him, the group has completed and ordered several polyclinics and government bungalows for doctors and nurses across the country.
Some of the public hospitals completed and put into operation include Tepa Public Hospital in Ashanti Region, Wa Public Hospital and Twifo Praso Public Hospital as well as the completion and commissioning of the Tamale University Hospital.
According to the Minister of Health, the group is the first person to have negotiated and signed a memorandum of understanding with Roche Pharmaceutical Company to subsidize drugs, including Herceptin, for the treatment of breast cancer and other cancers.
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