WegVooraus exhibitions – India, under the auspices of the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Trade and Industry has launched the 2nd edition of the West Africa Pharma Healthcare exhibition.
With support from the Private Health Facilities Association of Ghana (PHFAoG), Pharmaceutical Importers and Wholesalers Association of Ghana (PIWA), the Federation of Africa Medical Equipment Disposables and Devices Manufacturers and Suppliers (FOAMEDDMS), the Association of Health Service Administrators of Ghana (AHSAG), GUTA, the complete International pharmaceutical medical and healthcare industry exhibition in Ghana is scheduled to take place May 3-5, 2023 at the Accra International Conference Centre.
In his remarks, the Project Director of West Africa Pharma Healthcare Exhibition, Mr Thomas James said, the expo is in line with the government to make Ghana the next pharmaceutical hub in Africa and to build a robust healthcare system and infrastructure in the country that facilities every stakeholder in the industry.
Mr Anthony Ameka, Chief Executive Officer of (FOAMEDDMS) Access to safe and effective healthcare technologies is an important condition for a well-functioning (promotive, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative) health service. “Making safe and effective healthcare technologies available for care delivery is more than just buying a piece of the hardware component of a healthcare technology.”
According to him, the Federation is collaborating with the Ministry of Health to develop National Medical Devices Policy.
“The National Medical Devices Policy will provide a general framework for the development of health technologies in Ghana and serve as a reference document for efficient and effective management of healthcare technologies, rationalizing the use of healthcare technologies, and contributing toward the achievement of the overall health sector objectives. The Policy document when completed will be presented to the cabinet for approval.”
Given the above, Mr Ameka requests the government to consider reviewing downward the taxes, levies, and charges on import duties on medical devices and equipment as the current situation is impacting negatively the quality of healthcare delivery in the country.
There is a growing demand for affordable, reliable medical equipment in Ghana as the country relies on imports for approximately 85% of its total healthcare consumption. The public and private hospitals in Ghana often struggle to find high-quality medical equipment that they can afford.
On her part, the Deputy Director of Technical, Ms Deborah Djanie, noted that the Ministry is also working closely with the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to improve market surveillance of medical devices and ensure enforcement of the procurement and use of only FDA-registered products.
Speaking on the framework, she explained that the framework would well defined and well-understood roles and responsibilities for both the ministry and suppliers, supported by clearly defined lines of communications and collaborative relationships and set standards for goods procured under the framework contract.
She urged pharmaceutical importers, dealers, and distributors to take advantage of this expo to networks.
The three days event is expected to bring together manufacturers, exporters, wholesalers, pharmacists and retailers, dealers and distributors of the pharmaceutical, medical diagnostic industry, pharmaceutical machinery, hospitals, disposable consumable, laboratory equipment and solutions, orthopaedic etc.
And influential decision makers in the west African region in Ghana, with about 150, exhibitors in the expo from India, Turkey, USA, Egypt, Italy, Nigeria, South Africa and other 5000+ visitors from Ghana and west Africa.
