Health is an investment, not a cost – CHAG Executive Director tells government

The Executive Director of the Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), Dr Peter Yeboah, is urging the government to treat healthcare spending as an investment in national development rather than a financial burden, insisting that such investments must produce measurable improvements in people’s health. He believes Ghana must prioritise sustainable healthcare financing, backed by credible evidence, to ensure that resources committed to the sector improve patient outcomes while protecting households against the financial consequences of illness.

Speaking to JoyNews on the sidelines of Queen Máxima of the Netherlands’ visit to Manna Mission Hospital in Accra, Dr Yeboah said healthcare investments must go beyond providing medical services to deliver lasting benefits for patients and the economy. “The case is simple: health is not a cost; it is an investment. But that investment must be guided by credible and appropriate evidence, as CHAG has demonstrated through selected pilot hospitals such as Manna Mission and other facilities,” he said.

According to him, healthcare financing must also strengthen the ability of service providers to deliver quality care while ensuring that patients are not exposed to catastrophic medical expenses. “Every cedi invested in the health sector should lead to improved patient health outcomes. It should protect against the financial costs of ill health,” he stressed.

“It should also strengthen the sustainability of service providers, CHAG, the Ghana Health Service and all other actors, and most importantly, advance equitable access to healthcare services.” CHAG calls for strategic investments in healthcare Dr Yeboah believes Ghana can attract greater investment into its healthcare system through strategic partnerships, technical cooperation and innovative financing arrangements.

He described Queen Máxima’s visit as a significant opportunity to strengthen international collaboration in healthcare delivery. “The Queen’s visit, in many ways, demonstrates that Ghana’s health system has attracted interest from several investors and partners abroad,” he said. “It is time for us to leverage strategic partnerships, technical cooperation and catalytic investments to initiate value-based healthcare within the entire health system.” He maintained that such partnerships must be directed towards initiatives that demonstrate clear improvements in patient outcomes and strengthen the long-term financial sustainability of healthcare delivery.

Dr Yeboah cited the Value-Based Care initiative being implemented by CHAG in collaboration with PharmAccess and the National Health Insurance Authority as an example of how healthcare investments could be guided by measurable results. The initiative, being piloted at selected facilities including Manna Mission Hospital, seeks to improve healthcare delivery by focusing on treatment outcomes and continuous patient care.

He said lessons from the pilot could inform broader healthcare financing reforms and help providers become more accountable for the resources invested in their services. “If we can seize the moment, document and learn the lessons, and use them to inform the broader health financing reforms that are ongoing, we can ensure that providers become more accountable,” he explained.

He further stated that, “Ghana will definitely have a better health system that will serve as a catalyst for socioeconomic investment.” Dr Yeboah maintained that Ghana’s healthcare investment agenda must ultimately deliver improved clinical outcomes, better patient experiences and stronger financial protection for households. He believes sustained investments in quality healthcare can also contribute to broader economic development.