Els: MBN360 Health
The Nabdam District Manager of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in the Upper East Region, Jeremiah Abugbire, has welcomed Ghana’s move to begin local manufacturing and production of vaccines, describing it as a major step that could help stabilise medicine prices and improve access to essential health products.
The manager, who said he was aware of the establishment of the National Vaccine Institute, the lead government agency responsible for Ghana’s vaccine sufficiency agenda, described the initiative as “very refreshing” and said it has the potential to strengthen the country’s healthcare system.
According to him, there are no misconceptions about vaccines and vaccination, stressing that vaccines play a vital role in preventing diseases and protecting lives. He encouraged the public to embrace vaccination programmes and disregard messages that discourage vaccination.
Mr Abugbire, however, emphasised the need for strong regulatory systems to ensure that locally manufactured medicines and vaccines meet required safety and quality standards.
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“Made-in-Ghana medicines and medical products must be properly regulated to fish out substandard ones,” he said, adding that regulatory institutions such as the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) have the capacity to ensure that both imported and locally produced vaccines and medicines are safe and effective.
The NHIS manager said health experts remain his most trusted source of information on vaccine safety due to their professional knowledge and expertise.
He noted that while Ghana’s vaccination programmes have contributed significantly to reducing childhood mortality and preventing several deadly diseases, there is still a need to improve public awareness to encourage greater participation.
He identified transportation as one of the key challenges some people face in accessing vaccination services and called for measures to make services more accessible to all.
Mr Abugbire further called for the strengthening of the FDA, the Standards Authority and other regulatory bodies to ensure effective oversight as Ghana moves towards local vaccine manufacturing. He described vaccination as a lifesaver, noting that vaccines have played a critical role in protecting both children and adults and improving public health outcomes.
