Mustapha Gbande, the Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has voiced criticism against Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s vision to digitalize Ghana’s healthcare system.

In an interview with JoyNews on February 8, 2024, Mr. Gbande acknowledged the potential benefits of digitalization but argued that the government should prioritize addressing the existing challenges in the healthcare system. He highlighted issues such as the shortage of beds and poor service conditions in major hospitals, citing instances at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital where patients reportedly face difficulties.

Mr. Gbande expressed concerns about the National Health Insurance Scheme’s inefficiency, stating that owing to government arrears, individuals with insurance cards often end up having to borrow money for healthcare expenses.

The criticism follows Dr. Bawumia’s address at the UPSA auditorium on February 7, where he outlined his vision for digitalizing the healthcare system. The Vice President emphasized the convenience of having patients’ medical records accessible to doctors across different hospitals through digitalization.

In response, Mr. Gbande stressed that while digitalizing healthcare is important, the government’s primary responsibility should be addressing the pressing challenges affecting the lives of Ghanaians. He highlighted issues such as the inability to pay rent, company collapses due to corruption and high taxes, and bureaucratic challenges in the system as immediate concerns for ordinary Ghanaians.