Mahama Urges Stronger African Health Regulation to Ensure Quality and Patient Safety

Former President John Dramani Mahama has advocated for enhanced, proactive, and unified healthcare regulation across Africa to protect patients and rebuild public trust in medical services.

​Speaking in Accra at the 28th Annual International Conference of the Association of Medical Councils of Africa, Mahama stressed that achieving universal health coverage requires more than just improving access it must also prioritize safety, high standards, ethical practices, and accountability.

​He pointed to several pressing obstacles facing the sector, including the fast-paced rise of digital healthcare and artificial intelligence, the brain drain of medical personnel, fake credentials, ongoing humanitarian emergencies, and the widespread rise of health-related misinformation.

​Turning to Ghana’s internal health strategies, he mentioned that the National Health Insurance Scheme presently reaches roughly 76 percent of citizens, with state plans aiming to push that figure to 90 percent. He also noted the deployment of the Free Primary Healthcare Programme across nearly 160 districts, along with initiatives to boost domestic medicine manufacturing.

​Finally, Mahama appealed to African nations to collaborate closely in creating healthcare systems that are genuinely African-led, internationally competitive, and resolute in safeguarding public health.

@Volta Today