Disease outbreaks, floods, droughts, communal tensions, civil strife — Africa faces some of the world’s worst natural and man-made disasters which leave thousands dead, and millions injured, displaced and devastated.
Experience in Africa shows that when public health emergencies occur, there is a considerable time gap between the occurrence of these events and the flow of resources – often expected from, or provide by, external sources — needed to save lives.
But effective response cannot wait for that long. This is because in the first few days after an emergency occurs or a disaster strikes, money is needed to arrange supplies and travel of medical and relief teams; set up and operationalize control rooms with staff and equipment; and provide direct financial support to affected countries for logistics, communications etc.
Ghana’s public health emergency response has historically relied heavily on international donor funding. From cholera outbreaks to meningitis and even COVID-19, donor-backed financing has played a pivotal role in ensuring swift and effective crisis management. However, with donor support declining, concerns are mounting over the country’s ability to respond to future public health emergencies. The recent withdrawal of a major donor’s support for emergency health services has further exposed the urgent need for a dedicated Public Health Emergency Fund (PHEF) to ensure sustainable and self-reliant health crisis management.
The purpose of PHEF is to mobilize, manage and disburse in a timely manner resources to respond rapidly and effectively to public health emergencies of national and international concern including epidemic and pandemic-prone diseases, the health impact of natural and man-made disasters and humanitarian crises.
As an in-house financing mechanism, the PHEF will jump-start funding by providing “ready cash” for early, rapid and flexible action. This would save lives and prevent further deaths and spread of diseases during the initial phase of a public health emergency.
Impact of Declining Donor Support on Public Health Emergencies
International donors have contributed significantly to Ghana’s health sector, providing financial support for disease surveillance, outbreak response, and healthcare system strengthening. In past health emergencies, donor-backed funding has enabled Ghana to secure vaccines, deploy rapid response teams, and stockpile essential medical supplies.
With reduced donor contributions, Ghana faces potential challenges, including:
• Increased vulnerability to outbreaks such as cholera and meningitis due to delayed response times and resource shortages.
• Strain on hospitals and emergency response teams as funding gaps affect the availability of essential supplies.
• Potential setbacks in epidemic preparedness efforts, leading to higher mortality rates and economic disruption.
How Much Funding is at Stake?
While Ghana has benefited from multiple donor-funded health initiatives, the exact amount lost due to declining international support varies. In recent years, USAID alone contributed millions of dollars annually to Ghana’s emergency health response, funding programs related to disease control, epidemic preparedness, and maternal and child health. Without alternative funding sources, these programs risk being scaled back or discontinued altogether.
How Will Ghana Fill the Funding Gap?
On 11th February 2025, Mahama directed Finance Minister to address $156m USAID funding gap. The statement from the Presidency highlighted Mahama’s deep concern over the estimated $156 million deficit, warning of its potential impact on critical health and social intervention programs.
Of particular urgency is a $78.2 million shortfall, which threatens essential services such as malaria prevention, maternal and child healthcare, family planning, reproductive health, and nutrition.
The funding gap also jeopardizes Ghana’s fight against HIV/AIDS by restricting access to antiretroviral drugs, testing, and preventive measures.
With donor funding shrinking, Ghana must explore alternative solutions to sustain its emergency health preparedness. Key questions include:
• Is the government increasing its health emergency budget to compensate for the loss?
• What alternative funding sources exist for emergency preparedness?
• Are there efforts to secure partnerships with the private sector or international organizations?
To ensure uninterrupted emergency response, Ghana must prioritize domestic investment in public health. This could include increasing budgetary allocations for emergency preparedness, developing health insurance mechanisms that cover outbreaks, and seeking innovative financing solutions such as public-private partnerships.
Healthcare Workers and Emergency Responders’ Perspective
The impact of funding cuts is already being felt by healthcare professionals on the frontlines. Reports suggest that:
• Doctors and nurses are concerned about resource shortages in hospitals and clinics.
• Emergency response teams are experiencing delays in deploying rapid interventions due to financial constraints.
• Public health officers warn that critical disease surveillance programs could be affected, reducing Ghana’s ability to detect and contain outbreaks early.
Without stable emergency funding, Ghana risks compromising the safety of both health workers and the general public.
Lessons from Past Emergencies & Future Risks
Ghana has faced multiple public health crises in recent years, from the Ebola scare and cholera outbreaks to COVID-19. Each crisis has underscored the need for quick access to emergency funds. During the COVID-19 pandemic, international funding helped procure testing kits, personal protective equipment (PPE), and vaccines. However, if a new health emergency were to arise today without sufficient emergency funds, Ghana’s response capabilities could be severely limited.
Health experts recommend that Ghana learn from past experiences and invest in building a resilient emergency health system. This includes:
• Strengthening local vaccine production and stockpiling essential supplies.
• Investing in early warning systems to detect outbreaks before they escalate.
• Ensuring that emergency funds are readily available for immediate response.
Lessons from Other African Countries
Several African nations have taken proactive steps to establish self-sustaining emergency health funding mechanisms. Ghana can draw valuable insights from these models:
• Nigeria: The Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) includes a component dedicated to emergency response, ensuring that funds are readily available when outbreaks occur.
• Rwanda: The government has integrated emergency health funding into its national budget, reducing its reliance on external donors.
• Kenya: The Kenya Emergency Medical Care (EMC) Policy was created to finance urgent healthcare needs, including outbreak response and disaster management.
By adopting similar policies, Ghana can build a more sustainable and resilient public health emergency response system.
Expert Opinions & Future Outlook
Health economists, policymakers, and development experts emphasize that Ghana must take bold steps to secure long-term emergency health financing. Key recommendations include:
• Creating a dedicated Public Health Emergency Fund (PHEF) to provide immediate financial resources during outbreaks.
• Increasing domestic health financing by setting aside a fixed percentage of the national budget for emergency preparedness.
• Strengthening public-private partnerships to ensure continued investment in epidemic response infrastructure.
• Exploring alternative revenue sources, such as health levies and insurance schemes tailored for emergency preparedness.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
The reality of declining donor funding should serve as a wake-up call for Ghana to establish a self-sufficient Public Health Emergency Fund. By learning from the successes of other African nations and implementing innovative financing strategies, Ghana can ensure that its health system remains resilient in the face of future crises.
The time to act is now. Without decisive action, Ghana risks being caught unprepared when the next major health emergency strikes.
Source: www.kumasimail.com/ Gideon Kwame Sarkodie Osei
