Health Ministry Receives Pulse Oximeter Donation to Boost Free Primary Healthcare

The Ministry of Health has received a donation of advanced bedside pulse oximeters valued at more than $100,000 from pharmaceutical company WAMPHARMA, a contribution aimed at bolstering the government’s Free Primary Healthcare initiative and improving child healthcare delivery across Ghana.

The equipment, manufactured by global medical technology firm Masimo, is expected to enhance diagnostic capabilities at primary healthcare facilities nationwide, particularly in underserved communities where access to quality medical tools remains limited.

David Sam, WAMPHARMA’s Director of Partnerships and Sales for West Africa, said the donation emerged from discussions between his company and Masimo about how the private sector could support Ghana’s flagship healthcare programme. “We recognised an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the government’s vision of universal primary healthcare,” Sam said during the handover ceremony.

Pulse oximeters are critical diagnostic devices that measure blood oxygen levels, enabling healthcare workers to quickly identify respiratory distress and other conditions that require urgent intervention. Their availability at the primary care level can significantly reduce delays in treatment and improve health outcomes, particularly for children and the elderly.

Health Minister Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, who received the equipment on behalf of the government, described the donation as a strong vote of confidence in the Free Primary Healthcare policy. He emphasised that the initiative represents a landmark intervention in Ghana’s healthcare system, one that requires the support of both the private sector and development partners to achieve its full potential.

“This gesture demonstrates what is possible when the private sector aligns with government priorities,” Akandoh said. He appealed to corporate institutions, development partners, and individuals to support the government’s efforts to expand access to quality healthcare and improve patient outcomes nationwide.

The Free Primary Healthcare initiative, a key policy commitment of the current administration, seeks to remove financial barriers to basic healthcare services, ensuring that Ghanaians can access essential medical care without the burden of out-of-pocket expenses. The programme is particularly focused on maternal and child health, communicable diseases, and preventive care.

Ghana’s primary healthcare system has long faced challenges related to inadequate infrastructure, shortage of medical equipment, and uneven distribution of health professionals between urban and rural areas. Donations such as the one from WAMPHARMA represent a growing recognition within the corporate community that public-private partnerships can play a catalytic role in addressing these systemic gaps.

The Ministry of Health has indicated that the pulse oximeters will be distributed to health facilities across the country, with priority given to community-based health planning and services compounds and district hospitals that serve the largest populations of children and vulnerable groups.

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